The intergenerational program is dually important to the seniors, staff and children. Having the kids on site is a real enjoyment for the seniors. Seniors can see children playing in the playground and walking through the halls to other classrooms, which makes a lot of the interaction unplanned.
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The seniors feel like they are doing something really productive. There is a sense of pride in the children’s faces as well.
When both age groups are together, they are working on a similar task, like fine motor skills, tracking, and memory. All these skills help to keep the seniors sharp and help the children to improve their skills as well.
University Commons Childcare Center is viewed as an international center. They provide child care to many families from other countries who go to UMass Memorial Medical School and the Biotech Connection. Many of these families leave their loved ones behind when they come here to the United States, and they enjoy having their children interacting with the seniors.
* content on this page edited from interview for Earlychildhoodcenteral.org