Students and seniors to learn together in new intergenerational program

McDougall said students and residents will be exchanging knowledge with one another.

“We’ll be doing lots of then and now,” said McDougall. “The kids will show the residents what their phone looks like now and the residents will talk about what their phone used to look like when they were little.”

She said there’s also some residents who will play a bigger role in teaching some valuable skills to the students.

“The retired teachers within the home, and the other residents in the home will be helping the children read,” said McDougall.

While some residents teach, others will be taught. McDougall said a number of the residents have had very little or no schooling. Through the educational program they will have the opportunity to go to school.

“They’ve received some school supplies and they’ll be doing lots of things as well,” said McDougall.

The program is a first for the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region. The program originated in Kansas and has been done with sixth grade students in Saskatoon, where McDougall said it was very successful.

“The benefits are so huge on both sides that it’s increased the confidence in the children,” said McDougall. “The community based learning has given the children such success later in life throughout school. And then for our elders, the chance to be around the youth is one thing that helps increase the quality of life for our residents.”

“The way that we can alleviate helplessness, loneliness and boredom is by bringing in children,” said McDougall.

“We’re doing our best to make this part of our home and our everyday life.”

jsperling@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jnsperling

by Jill Sperling

Students and seniors to learn together in new intergenerational program

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