Physical
Items required: large beads of at least five different colors (choose primary colors). Yarn, the same colors as the beads, one small bowl for each participant, and plastic needles.
Gather your participants around the table and greet each one personally with their first names, eye to eye contact and a gentle hand shake or touch.
Provide each individual with a bowl and place several beads of different colors in each bowl. The color of the beads is not significant at this time so do NOT talk about colors.
Give each person a length of yarn, threaded through a needle and knotted to one end. Demonstrate the act of threading a bead and sliding it to the end. Encourage participants to do the same. Hands-on-help may be needed for some but remember that it’s hands-on-help and not doing it for them. Be persistent but gentle and talk about successes.
The object if the activity is to elicit participation in a needle and thread task that may promote memory of past mending chores or sewing hobbies.
Cognitive
Items required: large beads of four primary colors/laminated guide sheets each containing four different colored squares.
Gather participants around the table and perform the personal greeting.
Provide each participant with a laminated sheet and place them all in the same orientation. Keep one for yourself. Hold up your sheet and point to one color asking, “What color is this?” Do your best to elicit an answer and then move to the next square. If they have difficulty focusing on your sheet, direct them to the sheet directly in front of them. Label each color square and point out the colors for each participant.
Next, provide each person with four bead, one of each color, and demonstrate placing the beads on the corresponding squares. Provide them with more beads and direct them to place their beads on the appropriate squares. Provide more beads for those who do well and assist those who struggle. Try to avoid incorrect responses before they happen. Before closing, direct attention to colors worn by participants, especially if they are the same primary colors being used.
