My partner, Roger Anunsen, learned the power of play years ago when he was unexpectedly hired as an Activity Director at an assisted living community. He was assigned to run a Sit & Be Fit class and his elderly students seemed bored out of their minds. To liven things up, Roger got them reciting an elaborate tongue-twister (One hen, Two ducks, etc.) that his nana used to play with him. Sit & Be Fit was never the same.
This early foray into mental stimulation got Roger interested in the brain and how to design cognitively stimulating activities for older adults. This led to his invention of MemAerobics and eventually to teaching brain health class and joining me to found MINDRAMP Coaching & Consulting.
In addition to telling roger's story I talk about why play is an important developmental tool throughout life. Play is an effective way to keep mature minds health and sharp.
Be sure to listen at the end for a full rendition of One Hen, Two Ducks. You can test your own memory and articulation skills by echoing the increasingly elaborate and bizarre descriptions.
The text for this podcast first appeared as an article in 3rd Act Magazine.
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