Week 6 Cognitive Engagements

Cognitive Engagements of the Day

Remember it is not important whether theses activities are easy or difficult.

What matters is the participant goes through the steps. Throughout the week

they will engage in numerous cognitive processes that will help

build and strengthen their cognitive reserve and increase neuro-plasticity.

TIP: Before beginning each Cognitive Engagement, look to the right and then to the right without moving the head. Science suggests this movement increases problem-solving ability.

Cognitive Engagement

Kit Supplies Needed:

Geoboard

Pipe Cleaners

Instructions:

• Turn the board peg side up.
• Beginning in the bottom left corner, wrap a pipe cleaner around the inner edge of the board.
• Start with a new pipe cleaner where that one ends.
• Continue until you have completed three entire squares between the inside edge and the first pegs.
• Next wrap a pipe cleaner around the center square using as many pipe cleaners you need.
• Unwrap the pipe cleaners one at a time.
• Straighten them out before returning them to the Kit by running each one through your fingers.
• Alternate using your left and right hand.

Comments:

This is a complicated dexterity exercise. It is important to pay attention to the details in the instructions.

Cognitive Engagement

Kit Supplies Needed:

Dry Erase Folder

Dry Erase Markers

Construction Paper (optional)

Instructions:

• If it helps to have a backdrop, put a piece of construction paper inside the folder before beginning.
• With your eyes closed, draw a cloud shape on the dry erase folder.
• Now open your eyes.
• What object can you see in the cloud shape?

Comments:

Repeat the process as long as time allows.

Cognitive Engagement

Kit Supplies Needed:

1 Dry Erase Die

Dry Erase Marker

Dry Erase Folder

Instructions:

• Write a different letter on each side of the die.
• On the folder, write 5 categories of your choice.
• Roll the die.
• Name (the number you rolled) things that belong in the 3rd category on your list.
• Roll the die.
• Name (the number you rolled) things that belong in the 1st category on your list.
• Roll the die.
• Name (the number you rolled) things that belong in the 4th category on your list.
• Roll the die.
• Name (the number you rolled) things that belong in the 2nd category on your list.
• Roll the die.
• Name (the number you rolled) things that belong in the 5th category on your list.

Comments:

Cognitive Engagement

Kit Supplies Needed:

Deck of Cards

1 Large Die

Instructions:

• Shuffle the cards.
• Turn the deck face side down.
• Draw a card and hold it in your dominant hand.
• Roll the die twice using your dominant hand.
• Add the total of your rolls.
• If the dice roll total is greater than the card value, put the card to your right.
• If the dice total is less than your card, put the card to your left.
• If the totals are the same, add the card back to the deck on the bottom.
• For this exercise, Aces are wild and face cards are worth 1 point.

Comments:

Which pile appears to be the largest at the end of the exercise?

Cognitive Engagement

Kit Supplies Needed:

Geoboard

Yarn

Ruler

Scissors

Instructions:

• Cut six 1″ pieces of yarn.
• Turn the board so the peg side is up.
• Lay three pieces of yarn in an arc on the top half of the board.
• Use the pegs to guide you.
• The open end of the arc should point down.
• Lay the other three pieces of yarn next to the arcs to form 3 circles.

Comments:

• Repeat the exercise but form squares instead of circles.
• Do not throw the yarn away.

Cognitive Engagement

Nostalgia, Notes & Neurons

Cognitive Engagement

Nostalgia, Notes & Neurons

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