to think Punch & Judy was not the right thing!

Yes, and it seems very odd to mix residents and a class of young children to see such a thing as well

I do not mean children should not mix with older people in care homes but to bring both groups together to watch something like a Punch and Judy seems very odd.

Maybe they thought that the old people would remember it from their childhood? As they probably only saw Punch and Judy at the seaside it would not be one of their stronger memories.

Perhaps the residents would enjoy watching the children watching the show. It would have been decided whether the event would have been appropriate for the residents, surely? As Elegran commented, it's possible that it could be one of their stronger memories and encourage reminiscence for them.

I can see that it might jog memories...sadly it did not appear to! The children go to the home quite often to sing songs etc. but this time they were invited to see this show! If they had not been there the poor old P&J man would have had a hard time!

Perhaps it wasn't 'the way to do it', nanaej! I used to love Punch and Judy, didn't you? I think it was the crocodile and the sausages that was my favourite bit !

I hate Punch and Judy. It's entertainment based on domestic violence.
I'd be really cross if my GKds had been subjected to this.
It does sound generally like an odd event in several ways. P and J maybe relate to reminiscence therapy?

I know that now, JessM. And hopefully, if it was reminiscence therapy, it would only be where the older people had enjoyed shows at the seaside as children and not through their own domestic violence in later life.

It's alarming amazing what some Care Homes/Residential Homes deem suitable. They now try to show that they are not just allowing residents to sit around the edge if the room in various stages of consciousness but that they provide a variety of weird stimulating activities for them....whether they want it or not.
I often take my PAT (Pets as Therapy) dog into local homes and you'd be amazed what is on offer. Zumba Zimmer was my personal favourite

Actually, that sounds like fun, Aka!

I've always found Punch and Judy horrible, even as a child. I would imagine the afternoon was confusing to quite a few of those present.

Not all residential care homes are the same, thankfully. Although I'm sure that there are many that do not cater for the actual needs of the service users.

I think Punch & Judy is really beastly , not at all nice, wonder how it became popular ?

It was thoroughly enjoyed by majority of the kids..at least the message was clear: You must not hit people or steal things or you come to a bad end! To be fair in this show Judy got the better of Punch and law and order triumphed. It is about 300-400 year old tradition and I think it is like the ghoulish 'fairy stories' it helps children to explore fear and badness withing a safe context.

A lot of things were beastly in ''them olden days'' think public hangings. Punch and Judy just reflected the times.

....when crocodiles ate sausages.....

and there were stocks too..that was an interesting discussion on the walk back to school. I think the kids thought they were a good idea!

well , I was not around in them olden days , so why perpetuate it , to me it is pretty ghastly.

I just didn't like the puppets - they were so ugly and I found the frightening. And the squeaky voices...I don't think I took in much about the wife-beating etc.

I found 'them' frightening.

I loved Punch and Judy, wasnt it a big part of everyones childchild, well at least people of my age.

I think the residents possibly related to this as part of their childhood.

I would think the Punch and Judy show was chosen for that time because the children were coming.

I hated P and J. But kids today seem to love it.

It was probably hoped that the children's enjoyment would come across to the residents.

I just didn't 'get' it. When they appeared at birthday parties I just sat there hoping it would soon be over.

#thoughtsootymademoresense