{"id":16654,"date":"2019-01-28T11:49:33","date_gmt":"2019-01-28T16:49:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ssww.com\/blog\/?p=16654"},"modified":"2024-09-20T15:13:47","modified_gmt":"2024-09-20T19:13:47","slug":"grand-buddy-program-activity-ideas-seniors-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ssww.com\/blog\/grand-buddy-program-activity-ideas-seniors-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Grand Buddy Program – Activity Ideas for Seniors & Children"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Over the last 8 years of working with seniors, there are 3 things that can make even the most withdrawn senior become engaged:\u00a0Music, animals and children.\u00a0It doesn\u2019t matter if you are in the middle of a really great activity – if an animal or child comes into the room, most of the residents gravitate to them.<\/p>\n

I work for Kirkwood Corners, a Blue Harbor Community in Lee, NH and over the last several years have implanted many activities that include children of all ages. We have a seniors and science group that we do weekly with a family that home schools. We also have one of my favorite programs called Grand buddy visits! Our largest group is a class from a local childcare center called Live and Learn, with about 20 kindergarten kids that come once a month for about an hour. We also have several other grand-buddies that come throughout the month and are always looking for more kids to add to the program.<\/p>\n

Grand Buddy Program<\/h2>\n

Grand buddy visits are a favorite of many residents, and they often ask when the kids are coming. Several residents help set up the various stations. Since the group is so large, we often have 4 or 5 stations with 2-4 residents running. The residents pick where they want to go before the kids arrive, and then the kids break into small groups and move around the dinning rooms to visit each station.<\/p>\n

Some favorite activities of both our residents and the children are baby dolls, crafts, Mr. Potato head, Lincoln Logs and pattern blocks. The residents and kids work together at each station using fine and gross motor skills, color matching and sorting, language skills, and problem solving. Some residents take a more active roll to engage with the children, asking them questions and showing them how to do various tasks.<\/p>\n

Pattern Blocks<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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We have several sizes of pattern blocks<\/a>, and the kids and residents love to make pictures with them, sort them, and create patterns and shapes with them. Working with the large foam pattern blocks<\/a><\/strong> makes it easier for some residents and smaller children. The smaller pattern blocks can be hard to grab with arthritic fingers, so the large foam blocks are easier for some to handle.<\/p>\n

Lincoln Logs<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Many residents remember Lincoln Logs<\/a><\/strong> from when they were kids, or when their kids were growing up. It\u2019s great for reminiscing about when they were the age of the grand-buddies that are visiting on that day. It is also great for problem solving and working together as a group. Usually by the end, the whole table is covered with little log structures and everyone is laughing having a wonderful time together.<\/p>\n

Mr. Potato Head<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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The table that has the tote of Mr. Potato Heads<\/a><\/strong> is one of my favorites. I love watching the residents acting silly and making the kids laugh by wearing the accessories. Usually anyone walking by can’t help but smile when our grand-buddies visit, people usually can hear the laughter around the building when our larger group is over.<\/p>\n

Arts & Crafts<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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The crafts we do are usually based on the theme of the month, or if it\u2019s a \u201cspecial day\u201d like National Bird Day or Scarecrow Day. Last November our theme was Cabin Fever, so we focused on teddy bears. One craft was headbands with bear ears, made from construction paper<\/a><\/strong> that the kids and residents colored in and then assembled. Everyone looked wonderful with their different color ears. We also did an activity called “What Would You Bring on a Teddy Bear Picnic” and they had to cut food out of magazines, and glue it onto their paper plate. The residents helped the kids find different photos of food, and it was great when they would find a picture of something they both enjoyed eating – usually chocolate! Sometimes our crafts are as simple as coloring sheets, which the kids sometimes share with the residents to be hung up in their rooms.<\/p>\n

These printable Daily Holidays & Observances Calendars<\/a><\/strong> are super helpful for planning special themes each month.<\/p>\n

Dramatic Play<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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These plastic animals are great for dramatic and imaginative play. Both seniors and kids love playing with these animals! Have them tell a story and create different scenes. These can even be used for a short educational lesson. Here are some great options you can choose from.<\/p>\n