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HORTICULTURAL THERAPY ACTIVITIESSimple Horticultural Therapy Activities and their ValuesProject: Green TomatoPurpose: To store garden produce, invest for the futureMaterials: green tomatoes, newspaper, box or cooler, cool location, ripe apple Procedure: Pick green tomatoes. Ripen green tomatoes in a dark place where the temperature is a cool 45F to 50F. Wrap each one in newspaper. Put in a box or old picnic cooler, depending on final location. Add a ripe apple that will give off ethylene gas to help ripen the tomatoes. Check them often for ripeness. They should ripen slowly and last till November. Therapeutic Value Cognitive: language development, attention, concentration, egocentric nature, mastery, competence, gaining new information, orientation to time and space, organization, decision making, setting goals, communication skills, planning, implementation, alternate focus, memory, following directions, reasoning, problem solving Physical: gross and fine motor skills, accessibility of garden, increase physical abilities, maintain physical abilities, strength, balance, flexibility, range of motion, sensory stimulation, dexterity, constructive, nutrition, coordination, feeling and sensation, speech , nutrition Emotional: impulse control, affect management, self esteem, exploration, achievement, confidence building, cooperation, pride, ownership, personal responsibility, self care, independence, instill interest in future, sense of hope Social: peer interactions, gaining new information, orientation to time, routines, environmental stewardship, giving back, prevent isolation, safety, re-involvement, explore new interest, reminisce, link with reality, creating relationships Spiritual/Creative: Realizing place in the world, recipes for green tomotoes Project: Let the Heart Grow!Purpose: To express our love for family and friendsMaterials: marker, heart shaped cookie cutter, new sponge, scissors, water, grass seed, spritzer, plastic wrap, index card, pen Procedure: Use a marker to trace around a heart shaped cookie cutter onto a new sponge. Cut out the shape. Rinse the sponge well and fit it inside the cutter. Sprinkle sponge with grass seed and spritz. Wrap the cutter in plastic wrap and write care directions on index card. “ Remove plastic wrap. When seed germinates spritz with water daily” Therapeutic Value: Cognitive: following directions, sequence of events, recognizing attachments, reading and writing, remembrance Physical: fine motor skills (scissors, pen), smell and texture of green grass Emotional: thinking of who to give it to, feelings of love and friendship, anticipation Social: giving, conversation Spiritual/Creative: Thinking of who to give the gift to, creating something beautiful and symbolic Project: Bath BagsPurpose: To give a gift, to enjoy products of gardenMaterials: muslin, cotton, cheesecloth, linen, scissors, needle, thread, lavender, comfrey, Epsom salts, lavender oil Procedure: Sew up bath bags by hand from muslin or cheesecloth (use needles with large eyes for ease of threading, note also that the dollar stores have ready made little bags for a $1 each). For a lavender bath, mix equal amounts of lavender blossoms, comfrey leaves, and Epsom salts, plus several drops of lavender oil Therapeutic Value Cognitive: structure of bath bag, measuring bag content amounts Physical: stimulate sense of smell, feel the texture of the leaves, fine motor skills used for hand sewing Emotional: using hand sewing skills used long ago Social: reminisce last garden season using garden products Spiritual/Creative: Thinking of who to give the gift to, creating something beautiful and useful |
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Site Map : Horticultural Resources Copyright © Christine Pollard 2008 Website Design Jackson on the Moon Last modified: |
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