'National High Five Day', April 16

✋ National High Five Day (Third Thursday in April)

National High Five Day is a fun and uplifting celebration of connection, positivity, and shared moments. A simple high five can express encouragement, congratulations, or friendship without needing words. For people living with dementia, gestures like this can be especially meaningful - offering a sense of belonging, warmth, and human connection.

Brits are often seen as a bit more reserved, so they may be less inclined to high five than some other cultures, but the gesture is still common in moments of celebration - especially in sports, with younger generations, and in relaxed social settings.

It’s a great opportunity in a CST session to encourage interaction, laughter, and gentle physical engagement. You might invite participants to share when they last gave or received a high five, or what moments in life deserve one - sporting victories, good news, or simply getting through the day.

🎵 CST Song Of The Day - “Take Five” – Dave Brubeck Quartet

“Take Five” is one of the most recognisable jazz pieces ever recorded, famous for its distinctive 5/4 time signature - quite unusual in popular music. Written by Paul Desmond and performed by the Dave Brubeck Quartet, it became a surprise hit in 1959.

Although it’s an instrumental, its smooth rhythm and memorable melody make it ideal for CST sessions. It can prompt discussion about:

• Different styles of music (jazz vs pop)

• Instruments (saxophone, piano, drums)

• How music makes us feel without lyrics

You could even try simple clapping along to the unusual rhythm - great for gentle cognitive stimulation and coordination.

✋ Things Associated With The Number 5

Ask members to come up with as many things as they can that are associated with the number 5. Here are a few to get them going ...

• Five fingers on each hand

• Five toes on each foot

• The five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch)

• Five days in a traditional working week

• The Olympic rings (often linked visually in sets)

• A starfish (typically five arms)

• The Pentagon (five-sided building)

• Five elements (earth, water, fire, air, spirit – in some traditions)

• The Famous Five (children’s book characters)

• Hawaii Five-O (TV series)

• Five-pointed star

• Five pillars (e.g. in different cultural/religious contexts)

• Channel 5 (UK television)

• Five cards in a poker hand

• And, of course, a £5 note

🎶 Songs Associated With The Number 5

• “Take Five” – Dave Brubeck Quartet

• “Mambo No. 5” – Lou Bega

• “9 to 5” – Dolly Parton

• “Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony” – Ludwig van Beethoven

• “The Jackson 5 – ABC” – The Jackson 5

• “Pennsylvania 6-5000” – Glenn Miller

• “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” – Paul Simon

• “Five Years” – David Bowie

• “High Five” – S Club 7

• “Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue” – classic jazz standard

💬 CST Discussion Prompts

• What does a high five mean to you?

• When have you given someone a high five?

• Can you name the five senses?

• Do any of these songs bring back memories?

• Can we think of other “number songs”?