Discover an Elder’s Childhood Story
We collect memories our whole life. All of us do. Whether we are 5 or 95, we collect memories that grow our life’s story. These stories are always waiting to be told.
But how do we unearth those stories?
What do we ask?
What can spark a memory?
How can we make it fun?
Introducing…
Remembering My Childhood
an e-book in PDF (portable document format) for printing
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Reminiscing with others is a great way to remember stories we haven’t thought of in years.
Someone mentions gooseberries and your mind goes to your childhood neighbors garden. Another person mentions his very first job delivering newspapers and you remember selling popcorn on the street corner. One mention of cinnamon rolls and you can’t help but think of Grandma Jennie’s homemade sweet rolls. Reminiscing is like ripples in water.
“I remember sending away for “root beer” packets to make my own root beer. It came in a package that you mixed with water. I mixed up my own root beer, then hid it in the cellar so my younger brothers and sisters couldn’t find it!”—Henry
“My grandma had a banty rooster that would chase me around the yard. He was the meanest rooster! Before going outside you would have to look for him and just take your chances. I remember being scared to death of him!”—Patricia
“My grandfather helped to build the roads in Yellowstone National Park. When I drove over and through those roads, I would always think of him.” —Rich
With Remembering My Childhood you will:
- find over 125 questions about childhood to ask an elder.
- be able to record and create a journal for an elder and his family to treasure for years to come.
- be able to play fun reminiscing games that jog the memory.
- be able to make it into a fun family project.
- be able to use it in a group setting and create discussions.
- be able to play 11+ reminiscing games and activities to help find and tell an elder’s story.
- learn where to find life stories.
This book is for:
*Family caregivers and other family members who can use Remembering My Childhood with an elder in the family, one on one, and is great fun to use during family gatherings.
*Staff members in senior residences who can use Remembering My Childhood during one to one visits or in group activities.
*Family members who visit loved ones in senior residences who can use the questions and activities during their visits.
*Staff who plan intergenerational activities. Make Remembering My Childhood as part of an activity between children and seniors. Asking questions and playing games is a quick way to get to know one another.
*Children and Grandchildren who want to learn more about our older generation. Sharing can be a bonding experience.
*An elder who can use the questions and activities on his own to write his own childhood remembering journal.
About the Author:
Hi, I’m Rosann from CaregiversActivitySource.com. I have worked with seniors and the mentally ill for almost 30 years. Working in long-term care, there were times when I wasn’t able to plan ahead for an activity and I created content on the fly. For me, if I would have had printed resources it would have made my job so much easier.
One of my favorite activities with seniors has always been to reminisce and help them find their own special stories. Some of their stories will be forever etched in my mind.
I love to reminisce with my own parents as well, who are 86 and 97 at the time of this writing. We talk about their own childhood and find joy in their memories. Reminiscing is a great family tradition.
I hope you too will find great joy in Reminiscing About Childhood.
