Intergenerational Care
See how a cross-generational program benefits little learners and mature aged students.
BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE
Intergenerational childcare programs are a win-win for both the young, and young at heart!
They bring under-fives and senior citizens together to learn and bond in an aged care or early childhood environment; and although adorable little kids have obvious appeal for older people, these regular sessions are beneficial for both age brackets.
Everyone feels excited before each visit and happy when activities are underway; and all the chatting, playing, laughing, learning, exploring and imagining has ongoing upsides for participants’ cognitive, social and psychological wellbeing.
For some, intergenerational care offers a ‘grandparent experience’ that’s otherwise missing from their life.
And for many, it’s the highlight of the week!
For all these reasons, it’s great to see in-person sessions re-starting after a pandemic-related pause and new services embracing intergenerational care.
Little Scholars School of Early Learning is one provider that’s thrilled to be offering an intergenerational childcare program.
Little Scholars’ founder and owner, Jae Fraser, is passionate about embedding intergenerational care throughout his 13 campuses, and the program at his Ashmore campus is already a great success!
Currently, nine kindergarten children and two educators visit residents at Southport Lodge once a fortnight, and this program is built on relationships and backed by research.
The Ashmore campus started its intergenerational program last year, after working with Griffith University’s Dr Jennifer Cartmel and PhD student, Jelisa Tan.
Jelisa did her field placement at the service and prepared some really helpful resources for team members and families.
Ashmore’s Assistant Campus Manager, Amy Crimmins says, “Jelisa shared slideshows, floor books and fact sheets, with an emphasis on the benefits of the intergenerational program and our progress.”
Since the Ashmore program officially launched, it’s quickly become popular with everyone involved.
The kindy kids and aged care residents are loving these fortnightly opportunities to play games, sing songs, solve puzzles, share morning tea and generally have a great time, but they’re not the only ones enjoying intergenerational care.
Amy says, “We’ve learnt that the program is an incredibly positive thing for our educators and families too. We have educators and families at our campus who don’t have grandparents living near them, so this gives them an opportunity to form valuable connections with some senior members of our local community.”
Going forward, the Ashmore campus would love to see their senior citizens more!
Amy says, “The goal is to have them come and visit us on the alternate weeks, and we are excited to offer opportunities for the residents to attend events held at our campus throughout the year.”
Intergenerational care is also a big hit at Little Scholars’ Burleigh campus.
Little Scholars School of Early Learning Burleigh has a well-established program, which sees children visiting their local Odyssey aged care community once a fortnight.
Playful learning and activities are the focus, and this excursion has proven to be meaningful, exciting and downright jolly for the juniors and seniors who attend.
At both campuses, Little Scholars is finding that intergenerational care offers something special for its early learners and mature age students.
Pedagogical leader, Susan Cooper, says, “This kind of human connection brings empathy, joy and compassion, with magical outcomes for both the young and the old, and our children are learning some valuable lessons, which no curriculum can teach.”
For instance, intergenerational care is familiarising children with the natural process of ageing, demystifying disabilities, and opening their eyes to a completely different life experience.
With these positives in mind, Little Scholars is deeply committed to its program and is an active champion of intergenerational care.
They’re keen to embed this ‘way of play’ in every Little Scholars campus, and they’ve already become a member of the Australian Institute for Intergenerational Practice.
This not-for-profit works to advance evidence-based intergenerational activities in aged care facilities, childcare services and schools.
And Susan says, “This partnership fosters meaningful engagement between the young and the old, and supports us to look at the most current best practice through embedding our intergenerational programs within our curriculum.”
Little Scholars has helpful discussions with education and health professionals; and in between reading lots of intergenerational care research, the team is also doing some of its own!
Susan says, “This year, Little Scholars will conduct case studies to measure the continued impact and successes of our program,” and they’re already excited about the extremely positive developmental outcomes the program is producing for their under-fives.
The good news is that your child can also experience the wonders of intergenerational care.
If you’re interested in a cross-generational program, you can always enquire with Little Scholars, or look for a service that’s practising intergenerational care near you.
There’s also the option of joining an intergenerational playgroup, and Global Intergenerational Week (24 to 30 April 2023) is a great chance to nurture bonds between young and old, and foster friendships between those who’ve lived a little and a lot!
