[For Seniors] Enjoy Easily! Hand Play 'Shimoshika Meyo' (If If, Tortoise)
Many older adults have probably sung the children’s song “The Hare and the Tortoise” at least once, don’t you think?
Some seniors may even have memories of singing it when they were little, or of singing it to their own children or grandchildren.
So this time, we’d like to introduce the hand game “Moshi Moshi Kame-san,” which was inspired by “The Hare and the Tortoise”!
Some facilities may already be using it during recreational activities or as part of their daily exercise routines.
It’s a familiar exercise for many seniors, and the “Moshi Moshi Kame-san” hand game comes in many variations.
There are some cleverly devised versions too, so please give them a try!
- [For Seniors] Popular Hand-Play Songs: Fun Brain-Training Ideas
- [For Seniors] Hand and finger play roundup: Finger exercises that lead to brain training
- Hand games that liven things up for seniors—also great brain training
- [For Seniors] Recommended Rhythm Play and Exercises
- [For Seniors] Guaranteed to Liven Things Up! A Collection of Brain Training Activities That Will Spark Laughter
- [For Seniors] Extremely Effective Brain Training! A Fun Collection of Hand Games
- For seniors: Fun shiritori—enjoyable and easy to play
- [Brain Training for Seniors] Recommended Hand-Play Recreation for Dementia Prevention
- Energetic and Lively! Sing-and-Exercise Program for Seniors
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- [For Seniors] Today’s Recommended Activity: Fun and Engaging
- [For Seniors] Fun and Engaging Brain-Training Recreation
- [For Seniors] Fun Exercises You Can Do While Seated
[For Seniors] Enjoy Easily! Hand Game “Shimo-shika Miyo (11–20)”
Rhythmic exercises that move the hands and the whole body
Open one hand and stretch it forward, while making a fist with the other hand and placing it on your chest.
In time with the rhythm of the song, switch the hand positions and repeat—it’s a simple exercise.
Once you get used to the basic movement, switch to the opposite action: make a fist with the outstretched hand and open the hand on your chest.
By giving cues during the song to trigger these switches, the brain is activated as it anticipates the next move.
If you add new movements to increase the difficulty, you can expect even greater brain-training effects.
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.
Fox Dance
Let me introduce the Fox Dance that you can enjoy together with older adults.
It’s recommended because you can move your body while sitting in a chair.
After making a fox shape with your hands, use your arms and hands to dance.
The song has a quick tempo, but move within a comfortable range.
Once you get used to the moves, it could be fun to add some marching steps from the second round.
When it’s time to turn your neck, be careful to avoid falls.
The Fox Dance might be a great opportunity to spark new communication!
Number Exercise
Here’s a fun number exercise where you get to learn movements, too.
For 1, touch your head with both hands.
For 2, cross your hands in front of your chest.
For 3, clap your hands and move your body.
The moves and rules are simple, but since you have to think, you might get a little confused at first.
Until you get used to it, say the numbers clearly and keep a slow rhythm.
Once it becomes familiar, try adding combinations where you call out two numbers, or speed up the rhythm for a challenge.
Let’s make it something you can enjoy while you practice.
Hotto Atto Nanto Taisō
“Hotto Atto Nanto” is the catchphrase of Nanto City in Toyama Prefecture.
It conveys a sense of security and comfort, giving you a feel for the atmosphere of Nanto.
“From the Green Village” is a song created to commemorate the 5th anniversary of Nanto City’s merger, and let’s move our bodies along with this song.
Despite its slow tempo, the uplifting lyrics of “From the Green Village” bring a calm, peaceful feeling.
It’s a song that resonates with older adults as well.
The rhythm is just right for seniors to move their bodies to, so please give it a try.
Rhythmic gymnastics with Momotaro
Here’s a rhythm exercise using the familiar song Momotaro.
Sit in a chair and rotate your arms to the beat of the song.
Slowly twist your body to the left and right.
Be careful not to fall off the chair when twisting.
When spreading your arms and legs, move within a comfortable range.
At the end, take slow deep breaths to steady your breathing and relax.
It’s also recommended to move your body using a ball or a towel.
Stay safe and enjoy getting your body moving.
[For Seniors] Enjoy Easily! Hand Play “Shimo Shimo Kameyo” (21–30)
Slow aerobics to the tune of “Alps Ichiman-jaku”
As people age, many find it bothersome to move their bodies.
Let’s get moving with slow aerobics that can be done while seated in a chair.
As the name suggests, slow aerobics involves gently moving your body to music.
It’s said to help raise heart rate and encourage breathing even for older adults who don’t have many opportunities to exercise.
It’s recommended to do rhythmic exercises to familiar songs—like “Alps Ichiman-jaku”—that many seniors know well.
Moving to music can also help bring out a sense of fun in older adults.