In September, people all over the world come together to raise awareness for World Alzheimer's Month and recognize the challenges faced by those living with dementia, as well as their carers. In this post, I will share some ways to get kids thinking about what Alzheimer's and dementia are, and share resources, books for further reading, and suggested activities.
Raising Awareness during World Alzheimer's Month
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia symptoms impact not only those diagnosed, but also their families and communities. We need to start educating children to help them become compassionate, patient and understanding, ready to support those in their family or community. Encourage them to share what they have learned with their friends and others in the community as well.
Start Open Conversations and Discussions
Gently bring up the topic with your children through a story, video, pamphlet, etc. Ask them what they know about Alzheimer's or dementia.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease? Explain how it affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Use simple language and relatable examples. "Alzheimer's disease is a kind of sickness that affects a person's brain. It makes it hard for a person to remember things, think clearly, or recognize their friends and family. They may forget people's names, or even what they did a few moments ago." (If you have a real-life family member or friend with Alzheimer's, you can use them as an example to help your children better understand. E.g. "Do you remember when Auntie Mary couldn't remember her way home from the park, and Uncle Joseph had to look for her and bring her home?") Make use of some available videos to help explain, or to familiarize yourself with the information before talking to your children: Here's a cartoon video suitable for young learners. Here's a TED-Ed video for more advanced learners. Here's a video from the Alzheimer's Society (UK).
The Importance of Empathy: Explain that people with Alzheimer's still need love and support, even if they can't remember everything. They might need a little extra kindness and patience from others. "How do you think Grandma feels when she doesn't recognize people in her family?"
Recognizing Emotions: Encourage children to share how they would feel if a loved one were experiencing memory loss and other symptoms of dementia. "How would you feel if Grandpa forgot your birthday? What would you do if Grandma asked you the same questions over and over again?"
To further the conversation, provide additional resources for your children to learn and discover more about Alzheimer's and dementia. Below are some links to information and resources for further exploration, discussion and activities.
Children’s Book Recommendations
Books can be an excellent way for children to learn more about Alzheimer’s and dementia in a meaningful and memorable way. Check out some picture books (including mine) along with read-aloud videos and suggested activities for discussion below.
Picture Books
"Grandma, It's Me! A Children's Book about Dementia" by Y.Y. Chan
Riley loves spending time with her grandparents, but after visiting them one day, she notices Grandma doesn't recognize her. Mommy explains that Grandma may have dementia, so her memory isn't as good as it used to be. Riley tries her best to help Grandma remember and writes about their time together in her diary. This heartwarming and beautifully illustrated book helps young readers better understand the process of aging, the symptoms of dementia, and how others can support and care for the elderly with love, patience and joy.
Read aloud video by Cazzy Zahursky
Activity: Start a diary or journal to record the special memories you have created with your loved ones. Download the free sample activity pack for some journal prompts and more activity ideas.
"Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge" by Mem Fox
Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge lives next door to a nursing home in which several of his good friends reside. Of course, his favorite is Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper, because she has four names just as he does. The only problem is Miss Nancy, who is 96, has "lost" her memory. Undaunted, Wilfred sets out to "find" Miss Nancy's memory for her.
Read aloud video from Storyline Online read by Bradley Whitford
Activity: Ask children to explain what a memory is, according to the book, and share their own ideas. Discuss what makes memories special.
"The Remember Balloons" by Jessie Oliveros
James’s Grandpa has the best balloons because he has the best memories. But when Grandpa’s balloons begin to float away, James is heartbroken. No matter how hard he runs, James can’t catch them. Grandpa no longer has balloons of his own. But James has many more than before. It’s up to him to share those balloons, one by one.
Read aloud video by Cozy Corner Books for You
Activity: Create a “memory balloon” craft. Children can draw or write down their favorite memories on paper balloons to put up around the room. Share and discuss what makes these memories special.
"Sometimes Grandma Calls Me Jean" by Jill Pietroburgo
The story portrays a relationship between a young girl, Grace, and her grandmother, who has dementia. Each thoughtful illustration represents the passing of time and the changes that dementia brings. Despite dementia's effects, Grace continues to demonstrate simple, but valuable, ways to interact with her grandmother and play an important role on her care team.
Read aloud video by Cazzy Zahursky
Activity: Make a list of positive interactions you can do with a loved one with dementia, like the ones included in the book. There is also a list of suggested activities at the end of the book, such as looking at photo albums, filling a memory box with familiar items to talk about.
Here's a list of these books, and others I have gathered on Amazon. I will keep adding to this list when I come across relevant and helpful books on Alzheimer's and Dementia, so be sure to check back regularly for updates on the list for more books. If you have other good books to recommend on the topic, please leave a comment on this post, and I'll add them to the list as well!
Sharing my book with students
Before I conclude this post, I wanted to quickly share about my experience in teaching Grandma, It's Me! to a class of Grade 3 students a few months ago. It was encouraging and heartwarming to see how the kids quickly empathized with the little girl, Riley and her grandmother. After reading the book, they were able to share their personal stories, memories and experiences with their grandparents and relatives who suffered from various illnesses and symptoms, not just dementia. Each child provided their ideas and suggestions on how they could help and care for someone with dementia, which showed their understanding, empathy and compassion. We studied more in-depth about what Alzheimer's disease is and how it affects a person's brain and behavior. The students enjoyed all the activities we did in the booklet, singing along to the song, and even the coloring competition we had at the end of the unit. It really warmed my heart to see the kids, not only reading this story, but relating and connecting with it, and reflecting on their own memories and experiences. It provided a safe space and an opportunity for each child to share real-life experiences and feelings about their loved ones.
You can find all the relevant resources here: https://www.yychani.com/grandma-its-me
I am also happy to share my book with your students! Feel free to contact me for author visits. I'm available for international virtual visits, and in-person visits in Hong Kong only.
Donate
Please consider donating to an organization that supports Alzheimer's care and research. Here are some links to donate:
World Alzheimer’s Month is a great opportunity to educate children and ourselves about Alzheimer’s and dementia, fostering empathy, and understanding. By raising awareness, utilizing resources, and engaging in meaningful discussions and activities, we can help our community develop compassion for those affected. Together, we can create a more informed, understanding, and caring society!
*This post contains affiliate links
Comments