Let’s play, laugh and sing

Giggles erupt from the preschooler and grandfriend. Our frog song and actions have led these two friends to sticking out their tongues at each other. Soon everyone (including the parents) are copying them and laughing.

Over the years some of the most memorable sessions were ones ruled by play, laughter and singing. Sure, you expect that when you work with preschoolers. Children need play. They are often laughter machines. Many sing while they do other things.

Yes, there are those times play and laughter and even singing are not appropriate.

While not EVERY senior living session includes the same level of play and laughter, they still happen and are needed. Maybe that is one reason intergenerational groups are catching on. They offer a time and space for “adults” to play, laugh and sing. They offer children an opportunity do the same with their peers and with other ages.

Separate or together, we all benefit from opportunities for play, laughter and singing. Here are just a few ways to include these experiences in your sessions.

Let’s Play

• Use games to structure your sessions.
  • Check out Music Games and Puzzles for preschool, older adult and intergenerational ideas.
  • Scrabble and Controlled Choice singalongs can add an atmosphere of play in senior living sessions.
• Try new things.
  • Allow people to be inventive with how they play instruments.
  • Introduce new music, new experiences along with the tried and true.
• Use the whole body.
  • Move as if you were some animal.
  • Act out swimming, playing baseball, or building a house.
  • Dance!

Let’s Laugh

• Include silly stories, books and songs.
  • Sing songs from the “Silly Dilly Songbook“.
  • Act out “I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More”.
  • Create your own run on songs like a “Frightful Tale” in a senior living session.
• Use body sounds. 
• Include created instruments 
  • Bucket Basses
  • Use a cup to create a funny sound children will love.
• Play with word sound. A couple of examples are:
  • “The Name Game”
  • “Witch Doctor” (Oh ee oh ah ah…)

Let’s Sing

• Mark beginnings and endings with a song to help with transition.
  • Hello songs for senior living
  • Good-bye songs for senior living
• To incorporate rhythm.
  • Use rhymes like those for jumping rope.
  • Explore books of rhythm including “Juba This, Juba That” with preschoolers.
• Bring the other elements together. These ideas can all come together.

Want some monthly ideas for bringing play, laughter and singing to those you serve?

Yes, send me the ideas!