Method guide · Work with a structured grid
Hand-signals
Use to agree a small set of local signals and accessible alternatives before using them during conversation.
- People
- 3–40
- Base procedure time
- 10 minutes
- Recording
- Shared record
Purpose: Explore through dialogue; Build working relationships.
English guide
Text acceptance is not approval of this rendered page, its media, or publication.
How this method works
Agree and try a small set of signals that communicate without stopping the conversation. Limit the necessary states, such as wanting to speak, agreement and requesting an explanation, to 4 or fewer, and match each hand signal with a text card of the same meaning. Everyone explains the meanings in their own words and tries the signals with brief example statements. If a signal is misused, check its meaning in words rather than blame the person. Treat signals as agreements for this session only, not universal gestures. Display the correspondence chart only while the session is in progress; do not store it linked to individual names afterwards. Do not use the method if text cards or spoken alternatives cannot be provided for people who find hand movements difficult to distinguish.
Phase schedule
Minutes are cumulative from the start of the base plan, not a live timer. Read scaling for any additional time. Phase controls do not advance automatically.
Use the arrow keys, Home or End while these controls have focus. The complete phase schedule remains below, including without JavaScript.
- Limit the necessary states to 4 or fewer0–2 minutes from the start (2 minutes)
Action: Limit. Participation: Small group around the record.
Shared record
- Match signals to text cards2–4 minutes from the start (2 minutes)
Action: Match. Participation: Small group around the record.
Shared record
- Check meanings in your own words4–6 minutes from the start (2 minutes)
Action: Rephrase. Participation: Small group around the record.
Shared record
- Try signals with brief example statements6–8 minutes from the start (2 minutes)
Action: Try. Participation: Small group around the record.
Shared record
- Correct misuse in words8–10 minutes from the start (2 minutes)
Action: Correct. Participation: Small group around the record.
Shared record
Facilitation steps
- For 2 minutes, limit necessary states, such as wanting to speak, agreement and requesting an explanation, to 4 or fewer.
- For 2 minutes, show a hand signal and a text card with the same meaning for each state, and write the correspondence on the chart.
- For 2 minutes, everyone explains the signals in their own words and corrects differences in meaning.
- For 2 minutes, respond to brief example statements with a signal or text card while the facilitator reads out the meaning.
- For 2 minutes, explain that misuse will be corrected by checking the meaning in words, without blaming the person who signalled.
If something changes
If
At the 2-minute point from the start, 5 or more candidate signals remain.
Then
Limit them to 4 or fewer states needed without stopping the conversation, such as wanting to speak, agreement and requesting an explanation.
If
During the explanations, 2 or more different meanings are given for one signal.
Then
Do not proceed to practice. Agree one meaning or choose not to use that signal.
If
Even one person says they find hand movements difficult to distinguish.
Then
Provide text cards or spoken signals with the same meaning before resuming practice.
Preparation
Materials
- One shared set of signal-to-meaning cards
- Alternative text cards: one set per person
Room and setup
- Arrange the space so everyone can see either the signals or the alternative cards.
Adjust for people and time
For 3–20 people, practise in one circle. For 21–40 people, practise in two rows where everyone can see the signals. For 41 or more people, divide the participant count by 20 and round up for the number of groups, then distribute people evenly with no more than 20 per group. Try the centrally agreed set of 4 or fewer signals and text cards in every group. Return only differences in meaning to the centre and revise one shared correspondence chart.
Safety and non-applicable situations
Signals are local agreements, not universal gestures. Provide text or spoken alternatives before practice if anyone cannot distinguish hand movements. Do not blame someone for misuse, proceed with unresolved meanings, or store the chart linked to individual names after the session.
Manuscript's recorded references
These translate the original manuscript's source and rights claims. They remain separate from any current-page notice below; they do not establish new verification.
- Seeds for Change Facilitation Tools: Hand-signals
https://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/tools
anti-copyright adaptation; changes made
- Conditions applying to anti-copyright
https://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/resources
anti-copyright
Diagram, print, and video language
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Editorial provenance
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