Intergenerational Play Remembering
the good times One of my most fond memories of
visiting my Grandma's house with my siblings, was that there was always someone
thing fun to do. Being there was
different to being at home – there seemed to be (in my young mind) only one
rule - we had to be kind to each other, but we had free reign on everything
else - we played games, we made silly exercise videos, we cooked, we danced,
and I even learned to knit!
My most favourite memory of all
though, was when Grandma and Grandpa used to tell us stories about when they
were our age - their shenanigans at home, what happened in the war, what it was
like at school, and things that I thought were just crazy because I couldn't
comprehend life that way. When they were
children, only one person in the whole street had a car, very few homes owned a
TV (and it was black and white!), and you had to dial the operator, who would telephone
somebody for you, and then 'put you through'.
Somewhere, along the road
Grandparents seem to be getting younger – I'm a Grandma myself now (and loving
it), but I am 'only' 46 years old. It's wonderful
that my grandchildren are able to enjoy a wonderful relationship with their
Great-Grandparents (69 years young) and their Great-Great-Grandma (96 years
younger, and simply brilliant).
The Experiment Sadly, many families are not as lucky
as I me in this respect. In some ways, society
has acquired a generational 'gap'. Many
children do not have the opportunity to talk to, interact and enjoy those
special relationships with our elderly generation.
In 2017, Channel 4 aired a 6-week documentary
called 'The Old People's home for 4-year olds.
Filmed in Nottinghamshire, it followed a group of nursery children who
visited a local retirement village every week for 12 weeks. It was promoted as an 'experiment' and tackled
the perception of mixing the older and younger generations together – what would
happen? Would there be any benefits for
the older generation, and their emotional wellbeing? The project was a great success. The documentary is still available to watch,
and watching it would be a fantastic way to spend your time. Be warned though, that as the children graduate
to 'big school status' and say their goodbyes, the tears will start to flow!
Once I'd watched it, I knew we had to
do something I knew that here at Amberwood we had
to do something. After a bit of
research, last summer I was invited to attend an 'Intergenerational Play'
conference, and I have to say it was fantastic.
A series of case studies and examples were presented (which had emerged
following that first ever documentary in 2017) evidencing the benefits for both
children and our elderly folk, when given the opportunity to spend time
together was provided. Everyone's mental
well-being increased…...it was just amazing.
Luckily for us, a local nursery (who were also looking to collaborate
with a care home) were in attendance, and 'Amberwood & Kiddy Kapers Intergenerational
play sessions' were born.
What a huge success – we're loving it Our lovely Amina (Nursery Manager)
sent out consent forms to all her parents asking if they would be happy for
their children to visit with our residents.
There was an overwhelmingly positive response, so much so, that Amina
had to organise a rolling rota, so that every child would have the chance to
come and visit with us!
Every Tuesday morning Amberwood sends
a minibus to collect and bring the children and staff to see us at the home. I cannot explain to you just how much the residents
and our staff adore their visits.
Sessions are super fun and enjoyable,
and meet the holistic needs of the children and residents. There is a strong
focus on physical play, and supporting physical and emotional wellbeing.
Communication has been the key – the children have learned to respect, care and
understand a different generation both verbally and non-verbally, but they
don't 'see' age – they just play. They
sing together, play games, do the most amazing crafting (children as so
creative and free with their ideas – there are no limits to the super powers
you can gain, if you glue a red square onto the side of a plastic cup!), read
stories and learn together. It really is
great fun. I cannot stress enough how
invaluable our play sessions have become for both the children, and our
resident's emotional well-being.
Life, is (as a resident once said) “full of passengers
on a journey on which there is only one stop.
And if that journey involves 12 bundles of exuberant joy, youthful
curiosity and unselfconscious affection, then so much the better”.