Children at Little Learners Day Care Centre will be spending one day at the end of every month with an unusual visitor, residents from the Wyndham Grange Village.
For their first visit in February, the kids and the residents made jewellery, played with playdough and enjoyed afternoon tea together.
Studies have revealed the benefits of elderly and pre-school inter-generational programs have reported improvements in both mental health and physical wellbeing, educational leader Amanda Lambert said.
“Connecting children with the residents will provide opportunities for children to learn from and connect with an older generation, improve children’s pro-social behaviours of helping, sharing and cooperating with other people.
“It gives older people a sense of purpose and improves their social outcomes along with changing the community perceptions, helping us see seniors and the ageing process as something positive- bringing value to human interactions.”
Ms Lambert said the children were very excited to meet with their elderly visitors.
“The children all wanted the residents to see what they were playing with and to join in their fun. When we asked the children if they enjoyed having our new friends attend day care, they all said loudly ‘YES!!’”
Ms Lambert hopes the program creates a local connection and integrates the elderly back into the community.
“We believe this connection is really special for children as some children don’t have grandparents, or extended families close by and just as important for our residents, and those that don’t have or get to spend time with smaller children,”
Vieraya said her favourite thing to do with the residents was play in the doctors.
“I like talking to them. They will be sad if nobody plays with them. I want that visit again.”
