You can trigger the brain to do something by the exact items you use. We don’t do things with items that don’t appeal to us. ⭐️Appealing items increase motivation and even dopamine. They are a way to help the brain WANT to do something! A Montessori principle is that materials (things we use) need to be appealing to the person. For example, journaling is great for people with dementia to help decrease agitation and confusion. 👀But we see many places give people spiral bounds kids school notebooks and number 2 pencils or disposable pens. ❗️To most people those items not only are not visually or tactilely appealing, BUT they are also not associated with calm, reflection, and self care- they are usually associated with work or school and judgement or deadlines. ❗️ ✴️ Plus, if that type of paper and pen are not kinds they like or used as a kid (due to regressive memory) they may not even see those items as a real pen! For me, Katie, I love fountain pens. Using them and seeing them increases the motivation to do things like journaling or even my to-do list. If I get dementia and you want to set up journaling for me, it better be with a fountain pen. Not only do I like them, but it’s part of who I am. The exact items we give people (and ourselves) can either allow them to do something, or stop them from doing something. Pen by @benupen from @dromgoolespens
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