There are 2 different games to play with the cards:
OPERATION 'I CAN'
How to play:
1. Lay out the heading cards Easy, Learning and Not Yet at the top of the table.
2. Pick up the remaining cards and sort the cards under each heading according to:
- Easy - I know how to do this without any help
- Learning - I can do most of this but I still need some help or reminders
- Not Yet - I don't really know how to do this yet.
3. Be honest!
4. Now, look at the Easy pile. You can do a LOT! You are the master in charge of these tasks.
5. Is there someone you could help to learn these too?
6. Look at the cards on the Learning pile. These ones just need a bit more practice and maybe a few reminders. Choose 3 that you want to work on next. Place these somewhere you will see them often to remind you that these are the ones you're working on - maybe stick them on the fridge or your bedroom wall!
7. Look at the cards on the Not Yet pile. Is there one activity you would really like to learn soon? You will need an older helper for this one. First, ask them to explain to you how to do it. Maybe they could show you a few times and you can ask questions. Then, you can start practicing. Soon, this card will need to be added to your Learning cards.
OPERATION 'BOREDOM BUSTER'
How to play:
1. Lay out the heading cards Enjoy, It's Just OK and Dislike at the top of the table.
2. Pick up the remaining cards and sort the cards under each heading according to:
- Enjoy - When I do this or someone helps me do it, I feel positive and healthy
- It's Just OK - When I do this or someone helps me do it, I feel a bit neutral - in the middle - not good or bad. It just gets done
- Dislike -When I do this or someone helps me do it, I feel negative. Sometimes I avoid it all together or want to get away.
3. Be honest!
4. Now, look at the Enjoy pile. You enjoy being in charge and like the feeling of being healthy, clean and ready! What is it about these tasks you like? Often we enjoy choice; freedom to do it our way, with our style. Often we like the sights, smells, sounds, feelings and movements of a job, like warm water on our skin or bright colours on our clothes. Are there any common sensations that you notice in the jobs you Enjoy?
5. Look at the cards on the It's Just OK pile. What would help these cards move to the Enjoy pile? Maybe if you had a bit more time. Or more choice. Maybe you don't really know why you have to do it so it feels like a waste of time. Choose 3 that you want to start enjoying more. Talk to your biggest helper about what you can change to enjoy being in charge of these self care jobs. Remember to play again next week and see if these cards are able to move to the Enjoy pile with the changes you have made.
6. Look at the cards on the Dislike pile. What really annoys you about these tasks. The sensations? Rushing? Interrupting other things you want to do much more? It feels like a waste of time with no point? Talk to your biggest helper about these. Be honest. It will never get better if you don't change anything. Pick one activity card and make a plan. What will you do today to make this self care task more enjoyable? Give it a GO! Soon, this card will need to be added to your It's Just OK or maybe even Enjoy pile.
