Research shows that when planned effectively, formal programs that promote connectedness between young and old have proven benefits not just for the children and older adults participating but more widely, for the communities involved. In their research, Sally Newman and Alan Hatton-Yeo highlight the benefits, reciprocity and empowerment that occur in intergenerational programs run by organizations in countries including Canada, Australia, Spain, South Africa, Japan and the US.

They conclude that “older people, by their presence in communities and neighborhoods, have an essential role as educators, leaders and role models and in empowering the young”. In another study Mary Dellmann‐Jenkins, Donna Lambert and Dorothy Fruit found that children who participated in an intergenerational program were “more willing to share, help and cooperate with elderly persons.”

Benefits for children include

• Social awareness for communicating with older people
• Positive attitudes toward aging and the elderly
• Mentoring and positive role models
• Someone to ‘play’ with
• An experience of community belonging
• Learning social skills in a nurturing environment

In Australia, programs like “Grandfriends” where elderly people interact with children for art and literacy aim to improve cognitive function and increase positive interactions for the aged.

In Toronto Kipling Acres has had a daycare centre co-located  in a long-term care home since the 1990s and residents, families and children all feel the benefits.

In their comprehensive guidelines Tried and True Generations United have ideas for activities that can be useful for setting up all kinds of intergenerational programs. Using the guidelines as a resource (and checking the list of organizations below)  can provide direction for early childhood services thinking about setting up a visiting program.

The guidelines emphasise the need to focus on process over product when planning any intergenerational program. Removing the need for defined outcomes and being flexible about where activities may lead give children and adults a chance to build relationships of discovery.

Intergenerational Learning Resources

The following resources are activity prompts early childhood educators can use in their intergenerational programs.

• Scrap booking materials for craft session
• Crayons and paper
• Modelling clay/plasticine/play dough
• Put music on and do some action songs together
• Soft balls for children to throw back and forth
• Plastic animals/soft toys for pretend play
• A picnic basket with a tea set
• Picture books
• A basket of story books and/or photo albums
• A story from child’s Educa portfolio (printed or on the iPad app) as a prompt for child/adult to read and discuss
• A basket of flowers for collage
• Bubbles
• Puppets
• Building blocks
• Anything that encourages conversation and interaction