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Creativity is all around us in our daily life. To some, it may come more natural than to others, especially young children who have no inhibitions. As we grow older, many of us begin to lose sight of our creative abilities as they are overtaken by day to day responsibilities. Often times when a participant is asked to use their imagination for an activity in a senior living facility or craft program, their response is, \u201cI\u2019m not creative,\u201d or \u201cI am no good at this,\u201d and they walk away from the activity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So how do you engage others in creative expression in their later years, especially when they have this unforgiving disease called dementia, and are robbed of many past skills and abilities?\u00a0Well first off, here\u2019s some good news! Creativity lives in a part of the brain that can still function, even if other parts are declining. And, creativity is like a muscle. The more you use it, the more you have! So how do we tap into it? By offering more open-ended sensory stimulating activities.<\/p>\n
Through my extensive work with adults with dementia, and other cognitive challenges, I have found that open-ended sensory stimulating activities can be quite rewarding, for the participant AND the facilitator.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When an activity is open-ended, meaning that there are no directions to follow or expected outcome, both parties can experience the joy of being in the moment and seeing what comes about naturally. You don\u2019t need to know ahead of time how your participants will engage with the materials at hand. And they don\u2019t either! They can decide and interact with the materials in a way that makes sense to them as they go along. The materials might provoke memories or stimulate new thoughts or conversation. Or the materials may be so engaging that they are so absorbed in their work that they are silent and \u201cin the zone\u201d only to come out of the experience more refreshed and joyful. Ultimately, it does not matter how they use the materials – as there is no right or wrong! The activity is process-oriented with no expected outcome.<\/p>\n
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And by offering a variety of sensory stimulating materials, it gives your participants more opportunity to connect with the activity at hand. Not all senses may be available to them, but the hope is they will connect with some of the materials on some level.\u00a0 Perhaps their interest will be peeked visually. Or they will like the way something feels, or the way it sounds as it moves across the tray. Or something might have an aroma that sparks a memory.<\/p>\n
Please note: The only sense that is not encouraged is taste and occasional reminders that materials are for hands only may be required.<\/em><\/p>\n S&S and Tray Play have partnered to bring you Sensory Tray Starter Kits<\/strong><\/a> so you can begin bringing open-ended sensory stimulating activities to those you care for right away and begin strengthening that creative muscle once again.<\/p>\nReflection Pool – Sensory Tray Kit<\/h3>\n