Intergenerational Learning
A program that is connecting teenagers with people from their grandparent’s generation and older on a regular basis is having a positive impact on participants and creating a new mindset for the future.
Students from The Hills Grammar School at Kenthurst have been taking part in weekly Intergenerational Learning and Wellbeing sessions with residents (the GrandFriends).from Arcare aged care at Glenhaven since 2022.
This year the program has expanded to include veterans from Castle HIll RSL Sub-branch.
If you have watched the ABC TV hit Old People’s Home for 4-year-olds or Old People’s Home for Teenagers, you would have seen the positive results that occur when two diverse generations engage in enjoyable discussions and activities each week.
Greg Cronan from Intergenerational Learning Australia who facilitates the program said that the benefits from reciprocal learning for senior adults and students can have a significantly positive impact on the mental and physical health of both age groups.
“The weekly sessions for the Grand Friends and veterans have become a major highlight in their week,” he said. “For some students, it was their first opportunity to spend time talking with and listening to much older people. This was especially significant for students who had grandparents and great grandparents in other countries.
“One of Australia’s best natural resources is its ‘old people’. We are not just indebted to them for their work to build the freedom and lifestyle we now enjoy in Australia, but they are essential to shaping the character and values of this and future generations.”
He said the current program integrates school curriculum topics into the discussions.
Last school term, participants sat in groups in Hills Grammar’s library to discuss a novel from the English curriculum, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Each of the six groups included a veteran, a GrandFriend and four students. They were asked to consider heroes, what a hero was and their favourite books about a hero.
Greg Cronan said the responses from the GrandFriends were fascinating.
Leny (90) from the Netherlands spoke about her father being a hero because he saved many people during World War 2.
Veteran participant, Bill, said: “It was amazing to watch the change in the students’ understanding of the nature of a true ‘hero’ after Leny explained why her life hero was her father … because of the courage and conviction he showed by assisting the Dutch Resistance help Allied personnel escape the Nazis even as the enemy occupied the family’s hotel.
“Immediately after that revelation, the students obviously re-evaluated who and what was really important in their lives and so started to recognise the generosity and commitment of their own parents. The youngsters’ fixation on comic book ‘heroes’ vanished immediately as the students appreciated the fundamental values of ‘family’.”
Another veteran – Rees – said his definition of a hero was someone who was compassionate and confident.
GrandFriend Daphne’s advice to the Year 7 students was: “Being a do-er is so much more important than being a talker.”
The program is run in Sydney and Brisbane and regional areas from Wagga Wagga to Cairns with over 1,100 students and just over 400 senior adults from 41 classrooms participating in the program.
The feedback has been positive: Elissa Hay, Lifestyle Coordinator at Arcare Glenhaven said it had added value to the lives of residents who have been involved in the program.
“They really do come out of their shell when engaging with the students. Being able to impart knowledge and wisdom onto others is the real cornerstone of the program and it is so delightful to see the friendships develop between not only students and residents but the residents interacting with each other where they normally wouldn’t. All because they get the opportunity to get to know each other a little more by participating in this program.”
The feedback from schools has been positive too. Hills Grammar Principal Karen Yager said: “As part of our Graduate Aim, our students look to create and cultivate wider community connections.
“Programs such as the Intergenerational Program provide a unique opportunity for our students to learn from the life lessons, perspectives and stories shared by the GrandFriends and Veterans. These realworld learning experiences complement the curriculum, inspiring our young people to think beyond the classroom.”
For more details or to get involved contact Intergenerational Learning Australia via its website or call Greg Cronan on 0433 387 209 or [email protected]
