Abstract
Implementing intergenerational programs involves planning, facilitating, and reflecting on learning opportunities designed to bring together different generations in community-based settings. In this chapter, the author shares examples of intergenerational programs for elders and young children through 8 years old. Furthermore, she summarizes research evidence on how intergenerational learning experiences provide children, elders, and professionals with opportunities for meaningful relationships and enrichment. Finally, she outlines guidelines that visionaries and facilitators can utilize to organize and evaluate intergenerational learning experiences engaging young and old. The author draws from her studies of IG programming in the United States, German speaking regions in Europe, and Ecuador. These international perspectives can serve as a useful reference point for educators as they advocate for, plan, implement, and evaluate intergenerational experiences for young children and elders.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Almeida Pinto, T., Hatton-Yeo, A., & Marreel, I. (2008). Ideenführer für die Planung und Implementierung generationsübergreifender Projekte: Zusammen: Gestern, Heute und Morgen (Projektnummer: 141744-LLP-1-2008-1-PT-GRUNDTVIG-GAM). Zusammen: Gestern, Heute und Morgen - PDF Free Download (docplayer.org)
Belgrave, M. (2011). The effect of a music therapy intergenerational program on children and older adults’ intergenerational interactions, cross-age attitudes, and older adults’ psychosocial Well-being. Journal of Music Therapy, 48(4), 486–508. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/48.4.486
Briggs, E., Wang-Breal, S., Weprin, C., Dugger, E., & Vi Levy, M. (Producer). (2017). The growing season. http://thegrowingseasonfilm.com/
Davidson, S., & Boals-Gilbert, B. (2010). What age gap? Building intergenerational relationships. Dimensions of Early Childhood, 38(2), 23–29.
Denton, K., Fiedler, C., Flesher, B., Oates, E., DeVore, S., & Miolo, G. (2015). Older adults’ participation in an intergenerational reading program: Benefits and challenges. Paper presented at the University of Wisconsin System Undergraduate Research Symposium.
DeVore, S., & Aeschlimann, E. (2016). Song partners for kindergartens: An intergenerational program in Switzerland. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 14(1), 60–64. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2016.1138275
DeVore, S., Anguisaca Muñoz, J., Leoa, A., & McDarison, T. (2018). Understanding intergenerational experiences of young children and older adults through cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary construction of knowledge. In S. M. Akpovo, M. J. Joran, & R. Brookshire (Eds.), Collaborative cross-cultural research methodologies in early care and education contexts (pp. 187–206). Routledge.
DeVore, S., Winchell, B., & Rowe, J. (2016). Intergenerational programming for young children and older adults: An overview of needs, approaches, and outcomes in the United States. Childhood Education, 92(3), 216–225. https://doi.org/10.1080/00094056.2016.1180895
Durán Oleas, J. C. (2012). Percepción de los adultos y las adultas mayores sobre su relación con la familia, el contexto social y el Estado. (Maestria). Cuenca, Ecuador.
Dürr Reinhard, F. (2014). Auf Augenhöhe: GiM, Generationen im Museum: Hier und Jetzt. Verlag für Kultur und Geschichte GmbH.
Eisner Foundation, Generations United. (2018). All in together: Creating places where young and old thrive. https://www.gu.org/app/uploads/2018/06/SignatureReport-Eisner-All-In-Together.pdf
Epstein, A. S., & Boisvert, C. (2006). Let’s do something together: Identifying the effective components of intergenerational programs. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 4(3), 87–109. https://doi.org/10.1300/J194v04n03_07
Fair, C. D., & Delaplane, E. (2015). “It is good to spend time with older adults. You can teach them, they can teach you”: Second grade students reflect on intergenerational service learning. Early Childhood Education Journal, 43(1), 19–26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-014-0634-9
Femia, E. E., Zarit, S. H., Blair, C., Jarrott, S. E., & Bruno, K. (2008). Intergenerational preschool experiences and the young child: Potential benefits to development. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 23(2), 272–287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2007.05.001
Findenig, I. (2017). Generationenprojekte: Orte des intergenerativen Engagements: Potenziale. Budrich UniPress Ltd.
Frattura, E., & Capper, C. (2007). Leading for social justice: Transforming schools for all learners. Corwin Press.
Generations United. (2019). Piecing it together: What we know about the funding puzzle for spaces that connect young and old. https://www.gu.org/resources/piecing-it-together-what-we-know-about-the-funding-puzzle-for-spaces-that-connect-young-and-old/
Generations United. (2020). Intergenerational shared site resource list. https://www.gu.org/resources/intergenerational-shared-sites/
Generations United, The Eisner Foundation. (2019). The best of both worlds: A closer look at creating spaces that connect young and old. https://www.gu.org/app/uploads/2019/06/Intergenerational-Report-BestofBothWorlds.pdf
Gigliotti, C., Morris, M., Smock, S., Jarrott, S., & Graham, B. (2005). An intergenerational summer program involving persons with dementia and preschool children. Educational Gerontology, 31(6), 425–441. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601270590928161
Heydon, R. (2013a). Learning at the ends of life: Children, elders, and literacies in intergenerational curricula. University of Toronto Press.
Heydon, R. (2013b). Living, death, and dying in intergenerational learning programs. In Learning at the end of life (pp. 157–174). University of Toronto Press.
Heydon, R., & Daly, B. (2008). What should I draw? I’ll draw you! Facilitating interaction and learning opportunities in intergenerational programs. Young Children, 63(3), 80–85.
Heydon, R., McKee, L., & O’Neill, S. (2018). Singing our song: The affordances of singing in an intergenerational, multimodal literacy programme. Literacy (Oxford, England), 52(3), 128–136. https://doi.org/10.1111/lit.12135
Heyman, J. C., Gutheil, I. A., & White-Ryan, L. (2011). Preschool children’s attitudes toward older adults: Comparison ofiIntergenerational and traditional day care. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 9(4), 435–444. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2011.618381
Holmes, C. (2009). An intergenerational program with benefits. Early Childhood Education Journal, 37, 113–119. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-009-0329-9
Intergeneration. (2019). Potenziale und Grenzen von Generationenprojekten Teil 1 und Teil 2. http://www.intergeneration.ch/de/blog/potenziale-und-grenzen-von-generationenprojekten-teil-2; https://www.intergeneration.ch/de/blog/potenziale-und-grenzen-von-generationenprojekten-teil-1
Ivankova, N. (2015). Introducing action research. In N. Ivankova mixed methods applications in action research: From methods to community action (pp. 26–49). Sage.
Jarrott, S. (2011). Where have we been and where are we going? Content analysis of evaluation research of intergenerational programs. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 9(1), 37–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2011.544594
Jarrott, S. (2019). The intergenerational evaluation toolkit. https://www.gu.org/resources/intergenerational-evaluation-toolkit/
Jarrott, S., & Bruno, K. (2003). Intergenerational activities involving persons with dementia: An observational assessment. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, 18(1), 31–37. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12613132
Jarrott, S., & Bruno, K. (2007). Shared site intergenerational programs: A case study. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 26(3), 239–257. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464807300225
Jarrott, S., Gigliotti, C., & Smock, S. (2006). Where do we stand? Testing the foundation of a shared site intergenerational program. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 4(2), 73–92. https://doi.org/10.1300/J194v04n02_06
Jarrott, S., Morris, M., Burnett, A., Stauffer, D., Stremmel, A., & Gigliotti, C. (2011). Creating community capacity at a shared site intergenerational program: “Like a barefoot climb up a mountain”. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 9(4), 418–434. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2011.619925
Jarrott, S., & Smith, C. (2010). The complement of research and theory in practice: Contact theory at work in nonfamilial intergenerational programs. The Gerontologist, 51(1), 112–121. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnq058
Kaplan, M. (2002). Intergenerational programs in schools: Considerations of form and function. International Review of Education, 48(5), 305–334. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021231713392
Kovacs, P. J., & Lee, J. (2010). Developing a community-university partnership for intergenerational programming: Relationship building is key. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 8(4), 406–411. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2010.521076
Kuverum Kulturvermittlung. (2020). GIM Generationen im Museum. https://www.generationen-im-museum.ch/de/home
McDarison, T., DeVore, S., Anguisaca Muñoz, J., & Leoa, A. (2017, June 13 – June 16). The ageless communicator: Installation artwork and a discussion about the environment. Paper presented at the Midwest Program Showcase at the Generations United 19th Global Intergenerational Conference, Generations Remixed cohosted by St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. Milwaukee, WI.
Ministerio de Inclusión Económica y Social MIES. (2020). Mies promueve la protección social para las personas adultas mayores y sensibiliza sobre su derecho a una vejez digna. https://www.inclusion.gob.ec/mies-promueve-la-proteccion-social-para-las-personas-adultas-mayores-y-sensibiliza-sobre-su-derecho-a-una-vejez-digna/
OneGeneration: Share the Care. (2016). Childcare & Preschool. http://www.onegeneration.org/childcare-preschool/
Red Latinoamericana de Gerontología. (2010). 40 mil adultos mayores se debaten en la pobreza. https://www.gerontologia.org/portal/information/showInformation.php?idinfo=1987
St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. (2011). Childcare parent handbook. Milwaukee, WI: http://www.stanncenter.org/Child%20Day%20Care
St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. (2017). Caring for generations. Author.
Steinig, S. (2020). Intergenerational programs and physical distancing: What to do when we can’t be together (Generations United COVID-19). https://www.gu.org/app/uploads/2020/04/Intergenerational-Programs-and-Physical-Distancing.pdf
Timeslips COVID-19 Resources. (n.d.). https://www.timeslips.org/resources
Weltzien, D., & Appler, A. (2012). BEGEGNUNGEN – Ein intergeneratives Modellprojekt. Kindergarten heute, 5, 26–30. https://www.herder.de/kiga-heute/fachmagazin/archiv/2012-42-jg/5-2012/begegnungen-ein-intergeneratives-modellprojekt/
Weltzien, D., Roennau-Boese, M., Prinz, T., & Vogl, L. (2014). Gestützte Begegnungen zwischen Hochaltrigen und Vorschulkindern zur Verbesserung von Lebensqualität und sozialer Teilhabe: Die kindheitspädagogische Perspektive Wissenschaftlicher Abschlussbericht. Evangelische Hochschule Freiburg: https://www.eh-freiburg.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Gestuetzte-Begegnungen_Abschlussbericht2014.pdf
Winchell, B., Rowe, J., & DeVore, S. (2018). Bridging the intergenerational gap: Reflections for the field. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 16(4), 497–506. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2018.1510273
Zeichner, K. (2002). Educational action research. In P. Reason & H. Bradbury (Eds.), Handbook of action research (pp. 273–283). Sage.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
DeVore, S. (2021). Facilitating Intergenerational Experiences in Community Settings for Young Children and Older Adults. In: Renck Jalongo, M., Crawford, P.A. (eds) Intergenerational Bonds. Educating the Young Child, vol 18. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81965-1_11
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81965-1_11
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-81964-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-81965-1
eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)