Guide

How to use the Gentle Minds Activity Kit

Everything you need to know - before you buy, and on your first day. The same guide is printed at the front of the kit.

What you get

After you pay, Lemon Squeezy shows download buttons on screen and emails them to you. You receive:

The complete kit, US Letter - one PDF, 140 pages, everything in order.
The complete kit, A4 - the same kit sized for A4 paper.
Separate sections (ZIP) - the caregiver guide, each level, and the cards and daily pages as their own PDFs, in both sizes. Handy when you only want to print one part.

Your files stay available: open My Orders, type the email you bought with, and Lemon Squeezy sends you a sign-in link. There is no password to remember.

Printing

Open the PDF and choose Print.
Set the size to 100% or Actual size (not "Fit").
Black and white is fine. The colour is only decoration.
Print one or two pages at a time - fresh pages feel more special than a thick stack.

Tip: thicker paper (24 lb / 90 gsm) feels nicer and does not show through. For very low vision, print at 120-140% on larger paper or enlarge on a copier.

Choosing a level

Level 1 - Gentle: big pictures, no reading needed. Start here if reading or writing has become tiring, or if the person gets frustrated easily.
Level 2 - Easy: short words in big letters. The best place to start for most people.
Level 3 - Steady: real puzzles at a comfortable size, for people who still enjoy a challenge.

Not sure? Start with Level 2. If the first page feels easy and quick, try Level 3. If there is a long pause or a sigh, move to Level 1. Levels can change from day to day - that is normal.

A session in five steps

Pick a good time. Late morning or after lunch often works best. Avoid times of hunger, tiredness or pain.
Set up. Good light, glasses on and clean, one page at a time, a thick pencil or felt pen, a clear table.
Start with a chat. A conversation card or a "Look and talk" page warms things up.
Do one or two pages. Read the instruction together, help with the first answer, then let them lead.
End well. Show what was done, say thank you, and note what worked in the Activity log.

The golden rules

It is not a test. Never say "that's wrong". Try "let's look together".
Do it together. Sit side by side, not across the table.
Praise the effort. "You found that quickly." "I love the colours you chose."
Stop while it is still fun. Ten happy minutes beat forty tired ones.
Talk more than you write. If a page leads to a memory, follow the memory.

Every activity explained

Level 1 - Gentle

Look and talk - four big pictures with a "Talk about it" prompt. Name them, then chat.
Find the match - draw a line between two pictures that are the same.
What goes together? - match pairs like teapot and cup, needle and thread.
Circle them all - circle every fruit, every animal, everything you can wear.
Cut and sort - cut out picture cards and sort them onto a two-box mat.
Which one is different? - circle the picture that does not belong.
How many? - count the pictures and write the number.
Colour and relax - adult patterns (mandalas, quilt blocks, flowers) with big shapes.

Level 2 - Easy

Small word searches - 8 x 8 grids, six words, across or down only.
Finish the saying - "An apple a day keeps the ___ away." Great read aloud.
Famous pairs - "Salt and ___", "Fish and ___".
Picture scramble - mixed-up letters with a picture as the clue.
Picture and word match, easy mazes, name three and picture sudoku (four pictures instead of numbers).

Level 3 - Steady

Word searches - 11 x 11, ten words, including slants.
6 x 6 sudoku and easy 9 x 9 sudoku - solvable by logic, no guessing.
Missing vowels, word scrambles, quick quiz, complete the series and mazes.

Answers for every level are at the end of that level - for the helper, never for marking.

Conversation cards & daily pages

48 conversation cards in eight themes: growing up, school days, work and skills, love and family, food and kitchen, music and dancing, holidays, and outdoors and hobbies. Cut them out, or just read one aloud. If a question brings sadness, acknowledge it kindly and move on.

Daily pages: a "Today is..." board (day, date, season and weather), "My day", an "About me" profile for visitors and staff, a thirty-day activity plan, and an activity log to see what works best.

Using it with a group

Four to eight people, sitting in a horseshoe.
Read "Finish the saying", "Famous pairs", the quiz and "Complete the series" aloud - no paper needed.
Mixed abilities: give each person the same type of page at their own level.
Conversation circle: each person draws a card and answers, or passes it on.

Care homes and day centres: please choose the Care home edition, which licenses copies for every resident and client at your location.

Making it easier - or harder

Easier: cover half the page with paper, point to where to look, give the first letter, or use the level below. Harder: ask a question about each answer, try the level above, or let them teach you. Shaky hands: use a thick felt-tip, tape the page down, or let them point while you mark.

Getting help

Downloads, refunds and reviews are all on the help page. Anything else: email support@largeprintlab.com.

This kit is for enjoyment, conversation and a sense of achievement. It is not a medical treatment or therapy and does not diagnose, treat or slow any condition.

Get the kit - from $19