Montessori Box is a series of 1:1 or small group programs to get to know participants with memory impairment such as Dementia through facilitating conversation.

Required Supplies

Items that would be found in a toolbox such as:

• screwdriver

• hammer

• screws

• wrench

• level

• pilers

• tape measure

 

Group Size

Min: 1
Max: 4

Hazards

Ingestion of small items (placing multiple screws into a ziplock bag would help)

 

Preparation Steps

Gather all of the items and place them into a toolbox.

Activity Instructions

This program can be facilitated as a 1:1 program or a small group.

1. Begin with asking participants what they would find in their toolbox if they were working on a project.

2. Take each item out and pass it around to participant(s). Ask them what it is and how they would use each item in their everyday lives.

For example:

For the screwdriver: What would you use this item for? What could you build with it?

For the hammer: What is this used for?

For the wrench: What is an example of a profession that would use this item?

Do you have any stories of a time where you built something that you were proud of?

Do you have any stories of a time where you build something and it didn’t turn out as you had expected?

Activity Instruction Adaptations

• As participants list various items, you can add items to the toolbox and generate conversation starters.

• Sanitize each item after program.

• This program can also be adapted into a picture format instead of using physical items.