'National Tea Day', April 21
- Simon O'Donovan
- Apr 20
- 2 min read
National Tea Day is celebrated on April 21 here in the UK—a lovely excuse to pause, put the kettle on, and enjoy one of the nation’s most treasured traditions. Tea has long been a symbol of comfort, conversation, and connection, making it a perfect theme for a Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) session. Sharing a cup of tea can spark memories of family routines, social gatherings, tea dances, holidays, and everyday moments that feel warm and familiar.
For today’s CST Song Of The Day, “Tea for Two” by Doris Day is an ideal choice. This light, cheerful classic is instantly recognisable and easy to sing along to, helping to lift mood and encourage participation. Its gentle rhythm and playful lyrics naturally invite conversation - about afternoon tea, favourite treats, or special times spent with loved ones.
Together, tea and music create a relaxed, social atmosphere that supports reminiscence, boosts wellbeing, and brings people together - exactly what CST is all about.
The “What Is Your Favourite Kind Of Tea?” panel is a simple but highly effective way to spark conversation and engagement in a CST session. Using clear images and familiar varieties - such as black tea, green tea, peppermint, chai, and Earl Grey - it encourages participants to recognise, recall, and share their own preferences.
This kind of visual prompt works particularly well because tea is part of everyday life for many people. It can unlock memories of morning routines, family habits, social visits, or special occasions like afternoon tea. The name tags alongside each image help with word recognition and gentle cognitive stimulation, while also supporting those who may find recall more difficult.
The panel naturally leads into discussion:
“How do you take your tea?”
“Have you ever tried any of these?”
“Did you always drink the same kind, or has it changed over time?”
Overall, it creates a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere where everyone can join in, share memories, and feel confident contributing - making it a perfect warm-up or transition activity within a tea-themed CST session.
☕ TEA QUIZ – QUESTIONS
☕ TEA QUIZ – ANSWERS
Tea
China
Around 3–5pm
Milk (and/or sugar)
Catherine of Braganza
Bergamot
Pale green / yellow-green
Herbal tea
Cinnamon (also spices like cardamom/clove acceptable)
Rooibos
Evening meal (a more substantial tea)
Sandwiches
Digestive biscuit (others acceptable)
“Spill the tea”
The Ritz London
Doris Day
A tea party
Sugar
Vera Lynn
Paddington Bear
☕ Nice CST Discussion Prompts
“How do you take your tea?” (milk first or last 👀)
“Best biscuit for dunking?”
“Do you remember tea dances?”
“Who made the best cup of tea at home?”
☕ Optional CST Add-Ons
Bring in different tea bags to smell & taste 👃
“Best Biscuit” vote
Milk first vs tea first debate 😄
📺 PG Tips Adverts
You could also watch some of the 'PG Tips' adverts, feauturing chimps. Whilst enjoying the gentle humour, you could also lead into a discussion about the use of animals in adverts and TV shows ...
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