Spooning Dry Rice Into a Dish

Spooning dry rice into a dish can be a simple yet effective activity for individuals with dementia. This task helps improve fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and provides sensory engagement.

You will need a bowl of dry rice or dry beans or dry pasta, a spoon, and an empty dish or bowl. Explain the task to the individual. Show them how to scoop the rice with the spoon and transfer it to the empty dish. Start with a simple demonstration of how to scoop the rice with the spoon and pour it into the empty dish.

• Fine Motor Skills: Handling the spoon and scooping the rice helps strengthen the muscles in the hands and fingers, which is crucial for tasks like writing and buttoning clothes.
• Cognitive Stimulation: The task encourages focus and attention as individuals concentrate on scooping the rice without spilling.
• Sensory Engagement: The tactile experience of handling the rice and the sound of it being poured into a dish provide soothing sensory input.