How can you engage youth and seniors in intergenerational learning?

I just had my 13 year old Grand son with me- and what a joy to teach him to cook, play the piano sing, and shared my stories as we work together in the Garden also. He had many questions too, and I tried to give honest truth as he sought answers.

I think volunteering can be an especially helpful way to connect seniors and youth. Young people can learn so much from seniors, but may not have the patience to listen to long stories. Connecting them through an experience provides a more project based learning environment to foster honest connections. I also think having board game time is a great way to connect youth and seniors. Every amazing lesson I learned or story I heard from my grandparents happened over a game of cards, cribbage, or shuffleboard.

A great way to get started is bringing them together on Common Grounds as stated. However, I feel there is need to go further to maintain a Bond and Relationship by creating a Platform where both the Youths and Seniors that shares common Interest can come together to Create and Innovate Projects meaningful to there Community. It becomes a Task or an Assignment that engages them both, where Ideas are shared and Team Work is Initiated. It would be exhilarating especially for a Senior making History and leaving a Legacy through that.

For a long time I worked with kids who had a variety of emotional and behavioral issues. On top of that, they were teenagers (so already pretty skeptical of me at the outset). The best way to reach them was through common interests. One kid loved the Twilight movies, so when we the group went on an activity to watch one of the movies, they asked if I'd dress up and put on makeup - I said sure! Another kid loved 90's grunge music - so I made it my mission to find a band every week they had never heard of and play it for them. We make positive connections with other humans through our common interests. The same can be applied to intergenerational learning.

By getting to know the older adults in your life, children, volunteers, team members, etc. and their personal passions, interests, and goals, you are able to connect the dots. Using known Montessori techniques, applied to all age groups, you must focus on the person first. As an example, one of our residents shared her passion and photography of birds for other residents, families, and visitors to enjoy. Another resident was interested in learning more about chickens, so we started a hatchery where various generations joined in on the learning experience, another resident shared they wanted to volunteer with children which inspired a Reading Corner with a local elementary school, etc. Your only limit is your own imagination...

Intergenerational learning starts from understanding that whether young or old there is value in our life experience. Elderly folks have the wisdom and life experience, while younger folks tend to have the technological savviness, energy, and passion. Combined together this a deadly combination that can change the landscape in how we learn and experience life. It is about creating environments for independent thought and creativity and having a spirit of humility that can creates learning reimagined.

I think the operative word is listening. Create a space for listening. Perhaps it’s a recording that is set up where someone speaks on their life journey and several key life lessons. Also there are opportunities where youth can help with grocery shopping together . There are simple ways to that common ground . A nice meal can be one way to start.

Seniors have much to tell us but at times they are seen and never really heard. Let's give them our ear and allow them to share their many years of fabulous living with you. I try to share my stories of my travels, my education and general a well lived life. I tell about my many years of travels to 17 different countries and the cultures I saw and was delightful to learn from these people.

You can also Pair them up, so they could have a One on One Interaction where the Seniors open up and share there Experiences with the Youth. Ensuring to point out those Moment and Periods where they Fail by there Wrong Choices so the Youth could Learn from there Mistakes. Personally, I encourage My Son to begin to Commit and Dedicate is Life to GOD now as a Youth through Praying Habit and Personal Fellowship. These are the things I didn't have the opportunity to engage during My own Youth Days which affected Me Spiritually and delayed My Breakthrough from some Life Challenges.

One thing I’ve actually found helpful is partnering up with education institutions, at any level, with programs that require service learning hours for grade school club achievements, college prep, and even undergraduate programs, such as music majors in need of practice. Inviting these students to a memory care unit impacts seniors living with dementia in the most impactful manner. Alternatively, small groups of seniors can volunteer with middle school or younger age children. Seniors play games and, perhaps, read a book with the younger children. The intergenerational activity typically determines the most suitable option for each audience.

For my anti-violence program, I leveraged the lived experiences of older male volunteers, training them as facilitators to guide younger males. Through collaboration, we enabled an environment where real-life lessons became powerful tools for teaching effective bystander prevention techniques. This approach minimizes irrelevance while maximizing safety and wisdom. The intergenerational connection fostered respect and understanding, allowing both generations to grow together.

Cooking is another great one - it's a life skill and everyone likes to eat! Cooking and eating together can also bring people together in a more relaxed setting. The meal can be just for the participants or for a larger community (or group of people).

Group music making is a great way to include everyone! We have seen great success sharing children's music classes with "GrandFriends" where everyone does the class together, and the seniors all act as co-teachers.

Encouraging Collaboration! The world is so advanced now, but dying quicker. When Seniors were younger the world's resources were plentiful and we, us the people in world had longevity with quality experiences. Collaborating and combining ideas, perspectives, ways of life and etc can definitely provide a positive outcome. The exchange in learning from both will be amazing. This can be done in all fields such as farming, recycling, technology, rules for coming into adulthood and etc

Amid today's complex challenges, co-creation is vital. It brings diverse minds together to solve issues and spark change. Collaboration unleashes collective intelligence. Co-creation is beyond teamwork; it's active listening, respecting each voice. Embracing diversity leads to innovative solutions for core problems. I've seen co-creation's power firsthand. Learning across generations creates lasting impact. This journey is empathy, understanding, shared goals. Let's champion co-creation as a force for intergenerational learning.

Most schools and after school programs have some type of senior/assisted living centers near by. There is a WEALTH of shareable knowledge in that senior center. Schools send choirs to the center around holidays. What does inviting the seniors to the school look like? Would they be willing to “adopt” a class? With training (and screening of course) could they help students and students help the seniors. Win -Win!

Nurturing the spirit of youth-led initiatives means creating an environment where our young people feel empowered to challenge established norms and question existing power dynamics. It's about valuing their unique perspectives and ideas, giving them an active role in shaping policies and decisions that have a significant impact on their lives. This process becomes richer through intergenerational learning, where wisdom is shared across generations.

Youths are the most vibrate part of society that need special care and engagement. If well coached and trained them, they can make change and if not they would be spoiled. So we need to make them active change makers by letting them participating in development capacity building and different professional and para-professional works. We do participate youngsters in local development works and train them in different skill development so that they can contribute to their locality development.

For youth, this becomes particularly important when they may otherwise feel the pressure of trying to do it all (especially if they plan to apply for further studies or jobs). It allows them to spend time doing something they may enjoy or be interested in, while providing the benefit that their engagement and commitment will be recognised.

Fostering senior or disabled shelter dogs. Working as part of an intergenerational team to house, rehabilitate, train and match the dogs to forever homes. Dogs in the program would be screened to be a good fit for the program. Happy dogs and happy people! A win-win.

Find time to engage both groups when they are available, even when others aren't. For example, if trying to do something intergenerational in a social housing setting, after school hours (before the early bird dinner time for the seniors) might be a great time to connect school aged children or teenagers with seniors in their complex for some great activities together.