Page 24 - Storytelling - Storylistening

VII. Reminiscing Ideas for Recovering Golden Memories Activity #3: Show ’n’ Tell*
1. Circle participants bring a personal item that reminds them of a significant event or something pleasant in their life, and about which they are willing to tell a story. (Those who forget to bring an item may choose to talk about something they are wearing, or perhaps a photograph or document from their wallet or purse.)
2. Residents are paired up and turn their chairs to face one another.
3. One person talks about her item for a few minutes. The other person listens, and then repeats something he heard in the story (He does not need to repeat the entire story).
4. Their roles are reversed and the talker becomes the listener, and repeats back something that is heard. When the talker forgets and is unable to repeat back what she heard, the listener mentions a key word or phrase about what was said to jog the talker’s memory.
5. When every pair has completed their stories, they may move their chairs back into the circle. Then, going around one-by-one, each pair is given the opportunity to collectively tell the rest of the group what they talked about.
Porch Swing SeriesTM Culture Change Workbooks ©Action Pact, Inc.2005-2006 p.20