Intergenerational Peep in a day centre or care home for older people is like ‘normal’ Peep with icing on top – all the usual fun and learning benefits for children, parents, carers and practitioners, but with an extra layer of older participants, who might not have (local) grandchildren of their own.
What happens in a group?
“Peep Aberdeen recognised the opportunity of coming together with the older adults in our communities and the benefits intergenerational Peep could have for the participants. We partnered up with Bon-Accord Care to create an age inclusive Peep group whereby toddlers and older adults alike can make social connections to enhance their well being and self-confidence.
The group has been running with great success for over a year now and over this time we have explored a range of topics from the Peep Learning Together programme including Musical interactions and Balance and coordination. We celebrated Valentine’s Day and Burns night with some crafts which everyone enjoyed. Most recently we practiced our balance and coordination, walking along the balance beam and throwing beanbags into the box. Both children and adults showed fantastic support and encouragement to one another during the activities.
During each session we share lots of songs, including classic nursery rhymes our older adults remember from their own childhood. Following our busy activities, we gather around and listen to a story, which one of our older friends Liz, pictured here, enjoys reading to everyone.
Following our busy activities, we gather around and listen to a story, which one of our older friends enjoys reading to everyone.
Feedback on the benefits of the group for all participants has been really positive and we love watching the interactions.”
It’s so nice to see children interacting with the older generation” Parent
Coming together singing familiar songs is my favourite bit” Older adult
We adore our intergenerational Peep group! It’s by far our favourite group of the week. My daughter is very sociable but she has come on leaps and bounds since attending Peep. She gets to play and chat with her friends and so do us mums, it’s just great. I enjoy my cup of tea with the residents after the class and it feels like I’m having a catch up with friends. We would come everyday if we could.”
Parent
Love the group, it’s great for the community” Parent
“Intergenerational practice aims to bring people together in purposeful, mutually beneficial activities which promote greater understanding and respect between generations and contribute to the building of more cohesive communities. Intergenerational practice is inclusive, building on the positive resources that the younger and older persons have to offer to each other and those around them.”
Beth Johnson Foundation
(a charity dedicated to making the UK age-friendly)