Intro
There’s no better start to the day than waking up on a spring morning to hearing the birds singing! When they’re all singing together, it’s called the dawn chorus! Listening to bird song can be a very comforting activity as the sounds of birds can be both familiar and relaxing. This activity can aid in reminiscence conversations.
What you need
- A CD or download of a bird song eg. A blackbird, robin, blue tit etc
- A selection of bird pictures/a book of birds to go alongside the bird song CD or download
The Activity
- If you can, before the activity choose the correct bird pictures for the bird song you will play.
- Before the activity, make sure that you have a surface that the picture of the bird can be placed next to where the person is sitting.
- Hold/touch the person’s hand and say their name to introduce the activity.
- Play the first bird song.
- Ask 'Do you like the sound of the bird song?'
- Show the person the picture of the corresponding bird and encourage them to look at it.
- Talk about the bird eg. Its colour and size and ask 'Do you like this bird?'
- Put the picture away after looking at it.
- Ask the person if they would like to listen to another bird song whilst supporting them in looking at the corresponding bird picture.
- Reminiscence conversation can be encouraged. For example 'Do you have a favourite bird and a favourite birdsong? Do you like to feed the birds? Do you enjoy hearing the dawn chorus in the morning?'
- When the activity is complete, ask 'Would you like to look at the pictures of the birds again?'
Written by Sophie Jopling and Sarah Mousley from Kent Occupational Therapy_
Based on 1500+ happy reviews
Reminiscence
Sensory
Visually Impaired
