Back Together Again
Back Together Again
By Sarah Kern
After over two years of Covid restrictions with the grandmas and grandpas at Inver Glen Senior Living, we are FINALLY back to a regular schedule of activities with the seniors. We began on the first day of school with a simple art project: each child found a senior partner, and together they colored in block letters of the child’s name. It sparked natural conversation: “What’s your name?” “What’s your favorite color?”, and it created a natural closeness between each senior and child pair as they worked together.
The next morning we were back upstairs for music time with Mr. Gregg. Sharing familiar songs together bridged generations as children danced to “rock and roll,” some while holding a senior’s hands. Other activities this month have included playing color and shape bingo, balloon ball soccer, and even rhythm band.
Some children felt apprehensive about visiting upstairs. Most have little to no experience with elderly seniors who are in their 80’s and 90’s, especially considering Covid. The teachers intentionally prepare the children for time with seniors, even going so far as to role play scenarios. Some teachers pretend they are a grandma or a grandpa so the children can practice shaking hands with them and looking into their eyes. One teacher pretended she couldn’t hear very well so the children could practice saying their names loudly. Another class role played standing between grandmas and grandpas, so when they arrived upstairs for balloon ball soccer, they knew just where to go.
Still, for some, nerves persist. At rhythm band, a child was hesitant to interact with her senior partner, despite encouragement from the teachers and the senior herself. As they shook their instruments side-by-side, teachers watched closely and thought perhaps next time the child would be ready to interact more. But then, something broke the ice. A teacher instructed the children to give their senior friend a high five. As soon as the child gave the senior a high five, the nerves disappeared. “I have a grandma, too!” the child announced. “Do you have a purple shaker?” It goes to show that when it comes to intergenerational relationships, simplicity is key. It is not performative, it is real. With authenticity, connection comes.
