[For Seniors] Making a March Calendar: Introducing Spring-Themed Motifs and Arrangements

Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.

In March, when you can feel the arrival of spring, why not enjoy making calendars together with older adults? Calendars featuring March-specific motifs like dandelions, tulips, and Hina dolls not only provide pleasant fingertip stimulation through the crafting process, but also bring special joy when the finished pieces are displayed in a room.

Here, we introduce ideas that can be colorfully finished using familiar materials such as origami paper, construction paper, and yarn.

Please spend a warm, enjoyable time together, with lively conversations sparked by seasonal topics.

[For seniors] Creating a March calendar: Introducing spring-inspired motifs and arrangements (31–40)

Making a tulip calendar

@craftymedha
tulips are so pretty! #diycalendar #painting #watercolor #watercolorpainting
♬ original sound – armin arshe

Tulips, which bloom with beautiful flowers from late March to early May, are one of the quintessential flowers of spring.

They come in a wide variety of colors, and seeing beds of colorful tulips may make some people feel the arrival of the season.

This time, we’re introducing a spring-themed calendar featuring drawings of tulip flowers.

Use a fine black pen to draw the tulips, then paint them with watercolors.

Light colors will create a gentle, soft feel, while bold colors can give a bright and lively impression.

Have fun coloring with your favorite shades.

Raise the rankinglower

moko

Report a problem

Making an April calendar with clay crafts

Why not make a spring-like cherry blossom calendar using clay and craft bands? Use small pieces of green clay to shape leaves.

Add veins with a craft band, then fold each leaf in half.

Twist a moistened craft band to create tree branches.

Use light pink clay to form buds.

With scissors, shape them into cherry blossoms.

After softly drawing a background with pastels on construction paper (or similar), attach the branches.

Bend them to evoke real tree branches for a more lifelike look.

Apply brown clay where you’ll attach the blossoms, then add the cherry blossoms and leaves to finish.

It’s lovely to include your favorite words, such as a senryu or haiku.

Raise the rankinglower

moko

Report a problem

Hina Dolls and Dandelions

We’d like to introduce a calendar craft featuring Hina dolls that’s perfect for March.

Many older adults may remember celebrating the Doll’s Festival (Hinamatsuri) by displaying Hina dolls with their families.

As you create the calendar, you might recall lively, joyful times spent celebrating with your children or grandchildren.

Alongside the Emperor and Empress dolls, adding dandelions will make the calendar feel even more springlike.

It’s a piece that conveys the atmosphere and warmth of March right from the calendar itself.

Raise the rankinglower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

dandelion

@hirose_ds
Translation Elderly Recreation March Spring front-loading; taking in advance; getting a head start #dandelion Papercraft Calendar Translation Finger exercises
♬ Young Man(Y.M.C.A.) – TRT Harajuku Yankees RC

Let’s turn dandelions made with lots of fingertip work into a calendar.

Cut the tip of a long, narrow strip of construction paper.

Then roll the paper round and round to form the dandelion flower.

Attach the dandelions you made, along with leaves, to the calendar to finish.

Because it uses the fingers, it can not only stimulate the brain but also serve as functional training for fine motor skills.

Creating calendars and dandelions can help older adults feel the seasons.

How about adding spring elements like butterflies and ladybugs as well?

Raise the rankinglower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem