From the moment we enter preschool, we’re grouped by age.
But there are numerous benefits to connecting older and younger generations with one another.
These seven programs are building intergenerational bonds through gardening, the arts, mentoring and simply conversation.
The activities are the vehicle to spread the love."
“The Mount is so different.
Peter and Catherine Whitehouse did just that, launching a K-8 public charter school called The Intergenerational School.
“We reject the idea that age should be how you organize learning.
Counting all three schools, there are about 600 adult participants and 600 students.
Observes Whitehouse: “Year after year they see students growing and thriving and achieving.
Everyone feels a great sense of satisfaction.”
Some children even serve as teachers, helping dementia patients with matching games or puzzles with knobs.
“The whole philosophy is respecting the individual and following their needs.
It’s all about being purposeful and not just playing silly little games.”
The frequent interactions help children overcome their apprehension of older adults.
The interactions bring an awareness of the elderly to them,” Fox says.
“You really do see the benefit to both populations.
It’s a very special program,” says Swift, whose own son attended the child care center.
“They call each other their’neighbors.'”
One woman with advanced dementia could stay focused for a half-hour when giving a bottle to an infant.
She also seemed calmer and happier after time in the baby room.
“His wife said the program had given her her husband back,” Swift recalls.
“He had things he talked about in his day.
She said, ‘We have dinner conversation again.’
The adult center has 100 people enrolled, with an average of 55 attending each day.
The oldest attendee is 98 and the average age is 85.
Intergenerational Community Garden
What better way to connect than digging in the dirt together?
Senior citizens and preschoolers alike tend the intergenerational community garden at theJewish Community Center of Louisville.
“Adults who have maintained the garden have a great opportunity to teach the children.
The younger generation has an opportunity to learn from the accumulated experience of the elders.”
These activities reinforce Jewish values such astzedakah(charitable giving) and beingshomrei adamah(earth keepers).
“A program like this benefits both parties.
“Grandparents” contribute based on their own interests and talents.
Often, the relationship extends after the students have graduated to college or the workforce.
“That grandparent is their main connection and the person they call when there’s an issue.”
Students can take classes about caregiving, life span development, career pathways and activities that connect generations.
They can also earn a certificate to become an assistant child care teacher.
All carry this greater awareness and empathy with them when they leave the center.
