Activity: Memory Story Cards
Objective: The Memory Story Cards activity provides youth with the opportunity to learn about their person by asking questions and hearing stories shared by grown-ups who knew the person who died well. This can be especially meaningful when the youth was particularly young when the person died and/or they could benefit from support in developing secondary memories cultivated by reminiscing with stories & pictures.
Supplies:
- Memory Story Cards handout
- Scissors
- Jar, box, bag to hold cards
Instructions:
- Story Card questions (second page of the handout) can be cut out and placed into a jar/box/bag and chosen at random.
- Encourage youth participants to identify an adult who knew their person who died well.
- Support the youth by practicing how to ask their grown-up to participate in the activity.
- Reinforce the importance of doing this activity in a time and space that both the youth and grown-up are able to be present and engaged in the activity. For example, “(Grown-Up), I would really like to learn more about (person who died). Would there be a good time for us to do this Memory Story Card activity?”
Additional Ideas: Story Cards do not need to be completed in one sitting. Invite families to consider setting a weekly “Story Card” time and completing 3-5 questions at a time. Participants can engage extended family members and friends by sharing prompts via phone, email, or text.
Thank you, Kelly Petersohn, from Camp Erin Online for developing & sharing this activity!
