Our project went very well! Thanks to the generosity of DEY, we were able to bring in two musical performances that was equally enjoyed by our early childhood and senior groups! In total, this project impacted over 200 children ages 1-12, and about 60 seniors, many of whom suffer from various types of dementia. Children and seniors found a common ground when discussing holiday traditions and through stories and songs. Children were able to share some of their family traditions whether it was Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanza! We finished the celebration with a sing-a-long! Thank you for your support!
The holiday season is such a perfect time to incorporate intergenerational learning into the early childhood classrooms. Research shows that relationships between older and younger generations can foster empathy, reduce age-based stereotypes, and improve mental well-being. Programs that bring together youth and seniors create valuable experiences, helping both groups feel a stronger sense of purpose and community. These connections promote mutual learning, enhance emotional support, and address loneliness, ultimately benefiting the mental health and social skills of all involved. We hope to inspire more early childhood programs to encourage intergenerational relationships as part of their curriculum.
The impact of our intergenerational program can be seen throughout our community. We have many families that seek out our program because of the intergenerational connections that are built. Especially when families do not have grandparents that live local, they appreciate that their children grow and learn with the support of those relationships. Some of the children that have the most behavior challenges are the ones who respond best to the intergenerational model. Similarly, our senior services benefit from the energy and lively spirit of the children. We have experienced some hurdles with transportation for events at our second child care location, but our relationship with the Senior Living Community next door has been wonderful. We would love to someday be able to build a walking bridge that connects our parking lots so that it is easier to transport children and seniors to the other facilities.
