Intergenerational Connections at Aspire Bendigo – Kennington
Making intergenerational connections is an important way for young children to develop empathy and respect for older generations. At Aspire Early Education Bendigo, the kindergarten children are developing friendships with residents from nearby Joan Pinder Aged Care Home.
Throughout October, the aged care home residents visited the centre, to the delight of both the children and the residents. Special connections were made, as the children conversed with their older guests.
The day began with a Welcome to Country by the children, acknowledging the land's traditional owners.
They then performed a song to their esteemed guests, which everyone absolutely loved. The guests then sat down and read a few classic stories to the children.
Chef Vicky prepared an incredible meal of homemade chicken sausage rolls and pasta. It was a wonderful experience to sit down and share a meal together. The residents even commented on how delicious it was and asked for the recipe!
The rest of the visit was marked by play and chatter, with the children especially interested in learning about their guests. It was wonderful to see the children and the aged care guests interact so kindly, despite being three generations apart.
The connection between these “bookend generations” is quite a unique one, as the children are just beginning their lives, and the older residents have had many decades of life experience. There are multiple benefits for people of these ages.
For the little ones, it can help them learn to accept and interact with people with disabilities. It can also help them overcome any fears about older adults and learn about the normal process of aging. As well as these, it can give children who don’t have grandparents who live nearby the chance to feel the unconditional love and attention they otherwise may not get from the older generation.
Creating these intergenerational connections has its benefits for older people too. It helps reduce feelings of social isolation. By participating in social activities, older people have improved health and quality-of-life, such as reduced hospitalisation and increased functional autonomy. As well as this, older people can laugh, play and enjoy the youthful spirit that children bring about.
The team at Aspire Early Education Bendigo – Kennington have thoroughly enjoyed the residents of the Joan Pinder Aged Care Home. They look forward to continuing this relationship and creating even more memories into the new year!
