Intergenerational playgroup
Hey
Has anyone ever joined one of these?
:
Intergenerational playgroups can also be established in a variety of aged care settings including residential care facilities, retirement villages, local government authorities and community based seniors programs. These playgroups provide seniors, children and their parents and caregivers with opportunities to interact through play.
This new initiative brings additional benefits to the parents, caregivers children and seniors in our community. Seniors will feel valued as a resource because they will have a more meaningful, respected role in the community, thus increasing their self-esteem. Often, seniors feel redundant in society because they no longer feel productive however intergenerational playgroups may contribute to them feeling more useful again. Seniors will have an opportunity to connect (or reconnect) with their own extended families or other families within the local community in an intergenerational playgroup. This regular contact will enhance the lifestyle of all involved in the playgroup.
Along with these benefits to the seniors, families will also experience additional benefits. Many young families have little or no experience with older people because of geographical or social isolation. Visiting, playing and interacting with seniors will add a new dimension to their experience enabling relationships to be developed across generations. This, in turn, may shift some negative stereotypical attitudes towards seniors. Children and families will develop a positive attitude and acceptance towards seniors. They will feel connected to the community and develop a sense of responsibility to it and its inhabitants.
I'm thinking of joining one...but wanted to get some feedback from people who have been involved already...
Cheers!
