Children at the Bright Futures Children’s Services playgroup painted poppies with Chorus Kwinana seniors and listened to storytime with ANZAC Ted, immersing themselves in a morning of ANZAC themed activities.
The playgroup was put on hold last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but continued to develop relationships with seniors via videos and supportive messages from children and educators.
Mayor Carol Adams said it was heartwarming to see the intergenerational playgroup resume in person.
“The intergenerational playgroup provides an opportunity to alleviate isolation among seniors and it builds connections across the wider community,” Mayor Adams said.
“The playgroup session also introduces older people into the children’s lives where they might have little to no interaction with seniors in their own families.”
Bright Futures Children’s Services Acting Manager Lynne Brooke said there were benefits for children in the service, their families and the seniors.
“They are interacting in a way that creates meaningful relationships. These experiences will last a lifetime for the children and we are so glad to be a part of that,” Ms Brooke said.
Ms Brooke said research outlined and supported the benefits of intergenerational playgroups, as demonstrated publicly in the popular ‘ABC show Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds’.
These benefits include connection between older and younger generations resulting in better physical and mental health for seniors by fostering a sense of community and breaking down social isolations. For children the benefits include learning to have care and compassion for others, along with a sense of belonging and reciprocal learning.
Caption: Evie Quinn, 3, of Kwinana, and Geoffrey Moore of Chorus Kwinana.
After the event, tables at Chorus were decorated with photos of the poppies the intergenerational playgroup had made together.
Intergenerational Playgroups with Chorus started in 2019 and Bright Futures had previously partnered with Bethanie House in Orelia where educators and children visited the venue on Christmas Avenue.
Bright Futures Children’s Services is an approved Family Day Care and In Home Care early childhood education and care provider.
The City of Kwinana is the approved provider for the Bright Futures Children’s Service.