The Intergenerational Learning Center (ILC) at Providence Mount St. Vincent has been open for 24 years. It has served more than 1,000 children in that time, and those children, aged 6 weeks to 5 years, have touched the hands and hearts of more than 3,000 seniors.
The intergenerational learning program unites children ages 6 weeks through Pre-K with seniors from The Commons on Marice, the senior living community next door.
The Commons on Marice provides an opportunity for the generations to learn from each other and develop new, meaningful relationships. The “Grandmas” and “Grandpas,” as your child will refer to them, also come visit us in the classroom.
For seniors, we provide housing, health care, programming, services, and interactions between the generations
For youth, we enhance learning opportunities and responsible choices by educating the whole child, including interactions with seniors
For the community, we promote understanding and support between the generations
The organization points to research that shows that young children who are regularly exposed to older adults in their school perform better academically than their peers who do not get the same exposure.
Particularly, an incredible benefit is noted when the children interact with residents struggling with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. A resident may display a vacant, distant stare or lost language common to people with this disease, yet one witnesses an entire change in his or her personality, facial expression and ability to communicate when surrounded by the children. These residents truly come back to life when given the opportunity to talk to, play with, or read to the tots in their midst.
The Growing Season Trailer (formerly Present Perfect)
a poignant 4-minute video that shows the daily happenings inside the ILC
When interviewed, the following words were uttered by one of the elderly people in the nursing home, they instantly brought tears to his eyes. "Do you know what it's like to be able to care for someone and to be cared for by someone else. What a touching feeling that is?"
This has given me a reference for the idea of putting young children and elderly people together in activities. I think this should be possible and beneficial. It just needs to be well managed, with some sort of manager and regular activities scheduled.
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