What to Notice During a Hands-On Engagement Session

Angela Fairhurst

6 days ago

2 min read

When you offer a hands-on activity, it helps to look beyond whether someone finishes it.

Did they choose a piece? Explore its texture? Initiate a movement? Invite another person to participate?

Those observations can help you make the next session more personal.

Here are five things to notice when introducing Geri-Gadgets®.

1. Choice

Which pieces does the person reach for? Do they accept what you offer, choose something else or decline?

A refusal is useful information too. Respect it and consider another opportunity or activity.

2. Participation

Notice how the person uses the pieces.

They may hold, arrange, sort or manipulate them. They may watch you first and join later. Describe what actually happened rather than judging whether they used the kit “correctly.”

3. Expression and words

Pay attention to facial expression, gestures and anything the person says.

A smile, a frown or a request to stop can guide your response. Describe what you observe without assuming you know exactly how the person feels.

4. Connection

Does the person look toward a companion, pass a piece to someone or comment on a shared arrangement?

Conversation is one form of participation. Taking turns or working alongside someone can also be worth recording.

5. Preferences over time

One session does not tell the whole story.

A person may prefer Flowers one day and a Fidget Gidget® piece another day. The setting, timing and way you introduce the activity may affect their interest.

Keep notes brief and specific

For example: “Chose Flowers, arranged three tulips with a care partner and continued for eight minutes.”

That gives another care partner a practical starting point. These notes support everyday engagement planning; they are not a clinical assessment or proof of a treatment effect.

Geri-Gadgets® Activity Guides and training help care partners introduce the kits and adapt activities to the individual.