[For Seniors] Popular Hand-Play Songs: Fun Brain-Training Ideas
To increase opportunities for physical activity and social interaction, many older adults visit facilities such as day-service centers.
However, there may be many who find it difficult to start conversations on their own and end up sitting by themselves.
In this article, we introduce simple hand-play songs that can be done while seated! If it’s a tune they’ve heard before, they can join in with enjoyment, which can also help spark interaction with other participants.
In addition, raising the arms and moving the fingers serves as brain training and is important for preventing cognitive decline.
Please try these as fun recreational activities!
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- [For Seniors] Songs Everyone Can Sing Together! A Roundup of Recommended Crowd-Pleasers
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- [Brain Training for Seniors] Recommended Hand-Play Recreation for Dementia Prevention
- Hand games that liven things up for seniors—also great brain training
- [For Seniors] Recommended Rhythm Play and Exercises
- [For Seniors] Fun and Engaging Brain-Training Recreation
- [Sing for your health!] Popular songs among seniors. Also recommended for recreational activities.
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- [For Seniors] A heartwarming round song. Let’s layer our voices with this nostalgic classic.
- [For Seniors] Guaranteed to Be a Hit! Popular Day Service Recreational Activities
For seniors: Popular hand-play songs. Introducing ideas for enjoyable brain training (21–30)
Donguri Korokoro
Donguri Korokoro, a song that makes you want to sing when autumn arrives, is a children’s song composed in the Taisho era.
The lyrics were written by Aoki Songe and the music was composed by Yanada Tei.
It is said to be one of Japan’s three great children’s songs, and in 2007 it was selected for the “100 Best Japanese Songs.” It is believed to have been created based on childhood experiences.
The content tickles a child’s heart and is highly relatable.
It’s recommended to sing it energetically while dynamically acting out the acorn, the pond, and the loach.
Brain-training exercises with nursery rhymes
The “Brain-Training Exercises with Children’s Songs” is a wonderful program where you move your body to nostalgic tunes and have fun.
By folding your fingers and moving your hands and feet to the melodies of nursery rhymes, your brain naturally gets activated.
It’s easy to do even while seated, so everyone can join in together.
Singing while recalling the old days warms the heart, too.
And singing with those around you naturally sparks communication.
It’s especially recommended in the colder seasons—your fingertips warm up and your mood lifts.
It’s a delightful exercise that helps you stay healthy while having fun!
Moshikame Goo-Paa Hand Play
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.
Sign Language Exercise: Roses Bloomed
A recreation activity recommended by a physical therapist! Here are ideas for a sign-language exercise to the song ‘Bara ga Saita’ (“The Roses Bloomed”).
Try humming this nostalgic tune while doing exercises that incorporate sign language.
The choreography is simple and easy to follow, which is a key point.
Since some moves repeat, it should be easy to remember.
Making this exercise part of your routine can help refresh both mind and body.
Take this opportunity to give it a try!
Rock-Paper-Scissors Exercise
This Gu-Choki-Pa exercise is a workout you do while vocalizing.
Speaking out provides good stimulation for the brain, so it’s recommended.
Even a small voice is fine—the key is to add the Gu-Choki-Pa hand motions as you do it.
Exercises that change the movement on each side are also effective for activating the brain.
These can be easy to get wrong, so it may be hard to do them correctly right away.
However, making mistakes is important too, and it can be a good opportunity to communicate with those around you.
Staff should actively call out to participants while leading the exercises.
Brain-training game you play while singing
The “Sing-and-Train Your Brain” game is a wonderful recreation activity that helps older adults stimulate their brains while having fun.
Moving the hands to the rhythm energizes both body and mind.
The simple, easy-to-remember lyrics are familiar and approachable for seniors, and singing together naturally deepens communication.
It’s perfect for recreation in day-care services and other senior facilities.
It can be enjoyed while seated, so even those who find physical activity challenging can participate with confidence.
With its nostalgic tune, you can have a great time while reminiscing about the past.
Rhythmic exercises to a children’s song
Rhythm exercises set to children’s songs are a wonderful activity packed with nostalgia and fun.
Moving your hands and feet to the song “Antagata Dokosa” will invigorate both body and mind.
In particular, lifting your foot on the “sa” beat requires concentration and is perfect for maintaining cognitive function.
Incorporating it into your morning routine can give you a refreshing start to the day.
You can even do it while seated, so those who aren’t confident in their stamina can join with peace of mind.
Singing together and moving your bodies will naturally create a delightful time filled with smiles.