Toddlers and Centurions - Intergenerational Activities

They say “It takes a village to raise a child”; Knowledge, wisdom, and unconditional love by seniors have a lasting effect on children. Children can also bring happiness and smiles to seniors. We can reminisce about the past when extended families lived close together on the same street or in the same town and interacted frequently.

Manor on the Hill (pre-pandemic) had a “Adopt a Grandparent Program” where preschool children came every month to do activities with the residents. This was the most popular activity for both generations.

Meaningful activities between seniors and children can be fun and educational. Here are examples of things that the seniors can talk about bringing back nostalgic memories and educating the children at the same time:

Tin of Spam: Most children will have no idea what it is however seniors will have memories of tinned meat that could be transported and stored without refrigeration.
Rotary phone: Dialing numbers one-by-one, one mistake or busy line and had to start all over again
Payphones and a dime in their penny-loafers to call home. Many may have used their dime for a treat at the corner store.
Printed references like the phone book, TV Guide and an Encyclopedia set
Gramophone records; Side A & B with a handful of songs
Silent movies & news reals
Rationing during the wars
Games they played

For Valentine’s Day Lali and Neeva, made Valentine cards for all the residents which brought joy to everyone’s day. Under normal circumstances, Lali and Neeva would have baked cupcakes and cookies with the residents but it had to be done virtually this year.

As life gets back to normal here are few examples of fun activities we plan to revive/resurrect:

Arts and Crafts
Nature Walks
Baking and Cooking
Puzzles and Games
Reading Together
Gardening
Tablet or Smartphone Play
Lunch Date

These activities bring joy to both the residents and the children. Elderly residents find that the interaction with the youngsters comes without judgment and gives them something to look forward to. Having these socially interactive activities are motivating to the residents because like the children they get undivided attention, singing songs, sharing & hearing stories, doing art projects, and much more.