Physical
Items required: small plastic containers holding rice with several buried objects, enough that each participant has one (number the containers and keep items with their own container, baggies)
Gather participants around the table and greet each one by name, eye contact, and touch.
Place a container of rice within easy reach of each individual. Tell them that there are objects in the rice that need to be removed and demonstrate the task of sifting through the rice with your hand. Bring out one object and explain again that each container holds items to be found. Encourage participants to put their hands in the rice and feel the texture as well as feel for hidden items.
Assist participants as necessary, hands-on may be required in some cases but always encourage individual participant. When an item is found, simply have the participant lay it on the table in front of them. When all objects have been removed you may end the activity or return objects to the rice and exchange containers to do it again. Generally, the first time for any activity is the learning-how, or practice, run. The second time participants will have a better grasp of what is required.
Cognitive
Items required: a collection of small objects (using those from the rice boxes is very practical), templates (one for each container with the number of the container printed in the corner.
Gather individuals around the table and provide greeting.
Give each participant a numbered template and briefly describe the items on the page.
Present the gathered object. Objects from container #1 should be in a baggie also labeled #1 and given to the participant who has template #1. Similarly with template #2 and the baggie of objects labeled #2 and so on until everyone has a set of objects to match their template.
Direct participants to place the objects on their appropriate space on the template. Provide clues when needed. Ask participants to label their items. “What did you find?”
When ending, ask for specific items to be returned to the baggie. “Place the cow in the baggie” or hold the baggie open for the participant and request “Block. Put the block in the bag”.