[For Seniors] Lively Wordplay Game: Fun Recreation for Elderly Care
Among word games, the one that continues to be loved by people of all ages is shiritori.
In shiritori, you take the last letter of a word and use it to link to a new word, right? How about enjoying this long-popular game with a variety of fun twists? Lively word games like these also serve as brain training and are appealing because everyone can dive in together and have a great time.
This time, we’re introducing shiritori word games that older adults can truly enjoy.
They range from easy to a bit more challenging, so give them a try!
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Tongue Twister Pronunciation Practice (11–20)
A javelin throw done in a careless, throwaway manner
It’s a simple phrase that focuses on the fact that “nageyari” (throwing things away carelessly) and “yari-nage” (javelin throw) sound similar.
Saying it once isn’t too hard, but repeating it gradually makes it more difficult to pronounce.
It’s the kind of phrase that becomes a tongue twister when you speed it up and repeat it.
It’s important to pay close attention to which word comes next, and it seems like a tongue twister that can train your mouth while also offering some brain-training benefits.
Raw catfish, raw sea cucumber, raw nameko mushrooms
By consciously paying close attention to how you move your tongue and lips, you can pronounce everyday words more smoothly.
This tongue-twister emphasizes exactly those movements.
The word “nama” is the key: the “na” engages clear tongue movement, while the “ma” requires opening and closing the lips in succession, helping you stay mindful of your mouth’s motion.
Pronouncing words that actively use the mouth can also aid saliva production, making this tongue-twister beneficial in several ways.
Raw wheat, raw rice, raw eggs
It’s a classic tongue twister—practically the gold standard that everyone’s tried.
In this phrase, pay particular attention to the mouth shape and tongue movement for the “nima” parts.
Start by pronouncing each character slowly and one by one; once you grasp how your tongue moves, your speech should become smoother.
For “na,” tongue movement is key; for “ma,” the opening and closing of the lips are important.
If you pronounce them clearly, it can even help stimulate saliva production.
Focusing on speed helps with smooth delivery, while focusing on mouth movements strengthens the surrounding muscles, so it’s highly recommended.
Tongue Twister Pronunciation Practice (21–30)
Papa Panda, Mama Panda, Grandpa Panda, Grandma Panda
Tongue twisters with animal themes are a classic.
Through the words, you can picture a cute scene with animals lined up.
Sounds like “pa” and “ma” are hard to pronounce unless you close your lips first, so when they come in succession, the key is that your mouth really has to move.
Because you need to take the time to close your lips, being mindful of your mouth movements is important if you want to speak clearly while increasing speed.
Aim for clear pronunciation first, then gradually pick up the pace to train the muscles around your mouth.
Parent turtle, child turtle, grandchild turtle
One of the classic tongue twisters that add “parent,” “child,” and “grandchild” to animals helps you consciously focus on differences in mouth shapes.
The phrase is relatively easy to pronounce, so be mindful of your mouth shape and movements as you gradually increase speed.
There’s also a version that adds “parent duck, duckling, grand-duck,” which draws attention to the difference in mouth shape between the sounds ‘me’ and ‘mo.’ Precisely because the phrase is simple, not only mouth movements but also the rhythm of pronunciation is important.