Manipulative Cognitive Tasks
I use the blank wooden pieces from the Jenga game and a permanent black marker and divide the blocks into six or eight piles with an even number in each pile. Each pile represents a different category, such as, animals, fruit, clothing, transportation,etc. I then write an item from each category on the blocks from each category in dark lettering. I usually make a pile of blocks in the middle of the table and have the patient sort them into categories, use them as a memory task or have the patient tell me what the items have in common. I've used this activity in 1:1 and group settings. I find that a manipulative cognitive task like this is more motivating to some patients.
Submitted by Marina Pawlesh, MEd,CCC-SLP, HCR Manor Care, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania