[For older adults] Music recreation that helps boost mood and improve health

Full-body exercise ‘Hello, Mr. Turtle’

Full-body exercise 'Moshi Moshi Kame yo'

This is a recreation activity where you move your body by lifting your shoulders and marching in place while singing a familiar song.

Since it’s a tune everyone knows, even first-timers can sing together in a group and enjoy exercising.

You can do the routine alone, but it’s also nice to try it with a few people to share a sense of togetherness!

Seated Singing Exercise ‘Spring Has Come’

[Exercise for Seniors: Care-Giving Gymnastics] Singing Exercise Vol. 1 “Spring Has Come” [Seated Singing Exercise ♪ Perfect for exercises at day-service and other care facilities, and for at-home care prevention by Fukukuru]

Song-gymnastics, which combines singing and exercise, can also be done while seated.

With choreography that matches the lyrics—like making flowers bloom or birds fly—you can do a variety of movements using just the upper body! You can also march your feet while seated, so encourage those who can to move their legs actively, and let everyone enjoy it at their own pace.

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Tani Satoko

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Fingerplay “Poppō”

Fingerplay “Poppō”

This is a hand game that everyone can play in a circle.

You move both hands left and right to the rhythm and cross them at times.

There are occasional “poppo” calls and gestures, so the whole group can get excited together.

Since there’s a movement that uses the knees of the person next to you, it also encourages interaction among participants.

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Tani Satoko

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What shall we make with rock, paper, scissors?

[Day Service / Recreation] Hand Play Song – Rock-Paper-Scissors for Seniors: Let’s Think About It! Volunteer Performer Ensemble SARAN

The hand-play song “Goo Choki Paa” (Rock, Scissors, Paper) is well known.

It may seem aimed at children, but thinking about what to make with the right and left hands is a good brain exercise, so it’s also recommended for senior recreation.

Sing it at a slower tempo and encourage people to move their hands while using their imagination.

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Tani Satoko

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Rehabilitation Exercise ‘Song of the Frog’

The 'Song of the Frog' Exercise

This is a seated recreation activity you can do while moving your arms and legs to the tune of “The Frog Song.” During the croaking parts, incorporate frog-like motions and make the arm and leg movements opposite to each other.

The mismatched movements can be confusing, but even mistakes turn into laughs and brighten the mood.

It’s also fun to try it as a round!

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Tani Satoko

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Oral Exercise ‘Hatopoppo’

A roaring-laughter mouth exercise with “pa pi pu pe po” — set to the children’s song “Hato Poppo.”

A children’s song I recommend for head and oral exercises is “Hato Poppo.” Simply changing all the lyrics to the P-sounds (pa, pi, pu, pe, po) makes it more challenging! At first, post the lyrics rewritten in pa-pi-pu-pe-po at the front and try singing along.

Then remove the paper and sing—people will mix up the lyrics or stop.

Even those little mistakes turn into a fun, laugh-together recreation activity.

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Tani Satoko

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Instrument performance

Performing improvised music with seniors in Osaka, practicing the British method

Let’s sing, play instruments, and enjoy a group jam session together! No musical experience is necessary—there are plenty of easy-to-use instruments like simple percussion and bells.

Go with the vibe of the moment and have fun playing.

Try out lots of instruments and enjoy yourself.

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utatane

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