[For Seniors] Brain Training Recommended for Dementia Prevention

Kanji of country names

[Kanji Country Name Quiz] Country names in kanji <40 countries>

In Japan, country names are often written in katakana.

However, when written in kanji, some countries use surprisingly unexpected characters.

So, let me introduce a bottle-cap puzzle that uses country names in kanji.

Prepare a sheet with one character missing from the kanji spelling of each country.

Then, place plastic bottle caps labeled with single kanji characters into the blanks.

It’s fun to create these kanji sheets over a world map, and it also serves as a hint.

Have participants imagine each country, think about the appropriate kanji, and place the caps accordingly.

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Nakajima Junko

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national flag

[Flag Quiz] Let's learn the flags of the world's 197 countries!

There are many countries in the world, and it’s said there are flags for 197 of them.

Here’s a PET bottle cap puzzle featuring these various flag designs.

Put flag stickers on bottle caps.

Then place each cap with its flag sticker onto the matching flag on a printed sheet.

If you don’t have flag stickers, you could attach drawings of flags on construction paper instead.

Through this game, even older adults can enjoy gaining new knowledge about countries they may not know.

It will likely spark comments and conversations like, “Which country does this flag belong to?”

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Nakajima Junko

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Origami Tetris

129 Origami [How to make Tetris] TETRIS origami

Three-dimensional and fun! Here’s an idea for origami Tetris.

Many of you have probably played Tetris on a computer or game console, right? This time, let’s make tetrominoes—just like they jumped out of the game world—using origami.

All you need is origami paper and scissors or a craft knife.

You’ll divide a 15 cm square sheet into four parts to make them, so this is a perfect idea for those who are good with detailed work.

Let’s make some tetrominoes and play!

Kanji Combination Puzzle

[With Origami!] Try a Kanji Combination Puzzle!

Let’s make it with origami! Here’s an idea for a kanji combination puzzle.

Cut origami paper into long, thin strips to create kanji—a unique and fun approach.

All you need are origami paper, scissors, and kanji cards.

Try forming the specified kanji using only the origami parts! It’s best to start with characters that have fewer strokes.

Once you get used to it, you can increase the stroke count or set a time limit to make it even more exciting! The key is to prepare origami parts in different sizes.

Color Game

[Senior Recreation] Easy Activities Using a Whiteboard [Day Service Recreation, Brain Training, Preventive Care]

How about a color game as a whiteboard activity? For this game, prepare papers with color words written on them.

The key is to make the kanji different from the actual color of the text.

Instead of reading the words on the papers attached to the whiteboard, ask the participating seniors to say the color of the letters.

It may seem easy, but it actually trips people up and often leads to lots of laughs.

Because you see with your eyes and think with your head, it’s effective for reflexes and brain training.

Start by letting them answer slowly and thoughtfully, then gradually pick up the pace.

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moko

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Moshikame Goo-Paa Hand Play

[Dementia Prevention] Finger play to the tune of “Moshi-Moshi Kameyo.” Open–close hand play edition.

Let’s do the open-and-close hand exercise along with the children’s song “The Hare and the Tortoise.” When you make a fist, move your thumbs either outside or tucked inside.

Doing it while singing is expected to further stimulate brain activity.

Match the movements to the lyrics: have both thumbs move the same way, or have each thumb move differently.

As you might guess, making them move differently is more challenging.

Once you get used to the thumb movements, give it a try.

It’s said that tasks that feel a bit harder than your usual movements are more effective at activating the brain.

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Nakajima Junko

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Finger rotation exercise

Finger-Rotation Exercise for Enhancing Cognitive Function, Speed Reading, and Calculation Skills

Let me introduce a finger-rotation exercise where you touch the same fingers of both hands together and rotate them.

This exercise was devised by an internist, and it’s said to help improve cognitive function, speed-reading ability, and calculation skills.

Amazingly, more than a third of the cerebrum is devoted to moving and controlling the hands and fingers.

So simply moving your fingers stimulates and activates the brain.

Since you’ll be moving your fingers, it might help to gently massage the bases of your fingers before you start.

The motion is simple—just twirling your fingers—so it seems easy to fit into small pockets of time.

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Nakajima Junko

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