'National First Love Day' ❤️ 18th September
National First Love Day
Memories, Music and Famous Romances
National First Love Day is marked on 18 September. Although it began as an informal American celebration, it provides a lovely opportunity to remember young love, favourite romantic songs and some of the famous love stories that have captured our imaginations.
This collection of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy activities approaches the subject warmly and sensitively. First love may bring happy, humorous, bittersweet or difficult memories, so nobody should feel under pressure to discuss personal experiences. Participants can instead talk about fictional romances, favourite performers, courtship customs or the love stories of friends and family.
Begin with the Let’s Talk activity, sharing memories of teenage crushes, first dates, dances, love letters and the places where young people once met. Continue by completing familiar love idioms and sayings, encouraging language, recall and discussion.
The visual recognition challenges invite participants to:
Identify as many familiar symbols and signs of love as possible, including roses, wedding rings, love letters, doves and intertwined hearts
Name famous real-life lovers, from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward
Recognise memorable fictional lovers from films, television and literature
Music plays an important part in remembering first love. The CST Songs of the Day include:
“A Teenager in Love” — Marty Wilde
“True Love Ways” — Buddy Holly
“When I Fall in Love” — Nat King Cole
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” — Elvis Presley
“The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” — Roberta Flack
“Dedicated to the One I Love” — The Mamas & the Papas
“How Deep Is Your Love” — the Bee Gees
“Puppy Love” — Donny Osmond
Use the songs to encourage singing, gentle movement and conversation about the music people heard at dances, on jukeboxes, over the radio or during important moments in their lives.
I hope these activities stimulate memories, inspire conversation and provide plenty of shared enjoyment.
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❤️ Love Songs Singalong
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