LETS TALK BINGO!

TAKE OVER TUESDAY POST

BY: DEBBIE KUBIS

As a recreation therapist, I feel some people view Bingo as a diversional activity that serves little to no purpose. It has become an everyday part of my job to show folks that recreation therapist will not do things the traditional way! Yes, any person can do Bingo, but not every person will modify the activity the way a recreation therapist will to produce outcomes.

Advocating for recreation therapy and being able to show other professionals or treatment team members the benefit of an activity is definitely a BIG part of the job!

Here is an example of two of the ways I do Bingo! Feel free to share below the ways you have modified Bingo! You can make your own free bingo cards at myfreebingocards.com (I recommend laminating them so they last longer!). 

RECREATION THERAPY BINGO!

I developed this board to promote discussion on how recreational activities can support mental health. When a person calls "BINGO", instead of coming to a prize we come to a discussion. Some discussion questions we go through as a group include:

1. Pick an activity on the BINGO board, and tell us about the last time you did it
   
   
2. Tell me about an activity that is helpful to you
   
   
3. What is one activity you would like to start doing again and why is that important to your mental health
   

PHILLY RECREATION BINGO!

I developed this board so group members can learn about resources in the area. The discussion questions for this version of BINGO support the connection between community recreation participation and health/wellness. Some of the discussion questions include:

1. Name one thing from the BINGO board that you used to enjoy doing that you no longer do
   
   
2. Share a time you did something listed on the BINGO board and talk about how that experience helped you feel good about yourself
   
   
3. Name on activity on the BINGO board that you would like resource for before you leave the hospital