Intergenerational
activities can be a great way to build friendships and community by bringing
together people of different ages and backgrounds to explore and work toward a
common goal. New relationships are formed
and a new found respect emerges. Some intergenerational activities include
youth teaching older adults how to use the computer and Internet, adults
mentoring elementary school students, and seniors and children performing
together in a community theatre production.
I recently
had the opportunity to work on an intergenerational project with a group of seniors
at an assisted living center we visit regularly. To coincide with their “Baseball” theme, residents
painted plates to look like baseballs. It was great fun helping with the
painting and listening to the light-hearted banter between the participants. Everyone
had a wonderful time and lots of great art was created.
Once the
plates were painted, they were taken back to the VanGo Studio to be glazed and fired
and then delivered back to the residents a few days later. The next part of the
project involved students from a nearby middle school – students and senior residents
competed in a friendly game of indoor baseball complete with personalized baseball
caps and uniforms. Then, using a no-bake ceramic pen, each of the kiddos signed
the baseball plates to commemorate the fun event and time spent together. The seniors
were the lucky recipients of the plates, displaying them proudly in their
rooms.
Being a part
of this project was such a great experience for me. Not only was it a fun,
creative way to bring different generations together, it made me realize the
importance of doing so.
Until next
time… Peace, Love, and Pottery
