 I look forward to Ladybug Day all year round. It is quite a creative Ginger day, from the costume to the incredible edible part of the day. To begin with, the costume is very easy and it costs virtually nothing to turn everybody into a ladybug. A person who is willing to be turned into a ladybug by simply a stripe of black tape and scotch taped black construction paper spots will become young before your eyes! Add some pipe cleaner antennas you can add onto a headband and the same wings you used for other costumes and really bring it to life. You should definitely have a pair of wings in your closet, they can be used over and over and result in many happy smiles. I have seen many pre-made ladybug props for children's birthday parties but anything solid red, from a piece of clothing to a bucket to a balloon will look create a ladybug environment by adding black spots made with paper or tape. By the way, a ladybug can also be orange or yellow and when creating the costume for the residents, adding tape and spots to any solid color will work.
I play "Ladybug true or false". For instance, I will say "You can tell the age of the ladybug by counting its spots, true or false?" The answer is false, believe it or not. I know I grew up believing that was true, but the amount have spots can just tell you what kind of ladybug it is, not its' age. When residents guess true, we may end up reminiscing about how they used to catch ladybugs in jars when they were children. I don't like to boldly teach facts. I like each question to promote discussion, even if the conversation may go off course by doing so. I like the recreation room to feel more like my colorful, informal living room where everyone feels welcome, rather than a classroom. I like to make learning so much fun that they don't even realize that they are learning! It is so important because constant learning is the best medicine for seniors. It keeps the brain stimulated and exercised and therefore, helps to decrease the decline of cognitive skills. I will even give a quiz after my lesson. I joke that they need to get out their number two pencils and composition books! I then go over the facts that I just taught. Even if they don't remember or don't even call out the answers, whoever tries to remember the answers will be improving their thinking and brain power?
My favorite part of Ladybug Day is the recipe. It is such a creative project and a tasty appetizer made with crackers, cream cheese, olives and quartered tomatoes, I found it here
http://therecipefile23.blogspot.com/2009/08/ladybug-appetizers.html.
Everyone gets such a kick out of their edible ladybugs. They eat them while I run a word search. Very often, they have ladybug knick-knacks at the dollar store that you can give out during bingo or the quiz.
So, pull a little imagination out of your pocket and have a great Ladybug Day!
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GINGER'S CREATIVE COSTUMES AND ACTIVITIES