Many children in our mobile society are growing up with little contact with, and limited understanding of, elderly people. In 1983, the Westwood (Massachusetts) Public Schools initiated a successful structured interactions program between its fourth grade students and senior citizens from Westwood and nearby towns. Includes two references. (MLH)

Notes the importance of elders in various Native American cultures and of drawing on personal memories of special older folks. Stresses the importance and value of contact between the generations. Urges schools to adopt intergenerational programs, citing the remarkable contributions older people can make to the lives of children. (TJQ)

Responding to the needs of estranged youth, a group of Benjamin Tasker Middle School teachers created the Thoughtful Pedagogy Model. The program allows adolescents to reconstruct images of the adult world through self-exploration; participate in field trips, assembly programs, and adult/adolescent bonding activities; and experience the love and…

Points out that there are fewer adults in families and that schools are unused before and after classes. Suggests that older adults can provide some support for school-aged children who would normally go home to an empty house. (JOW)

Suggests many ways in which to connect with the elderly community. Notes that such connections are based on mutual needs. Describes several instances where elderly people were able to connect and contribute to the education of the younger community. (SG)

Invites readers to join in a celebration of the stories that are a continuous part of the author's life. Tells about her experiences with sharing stories in many different settings and situations. Includes an 8-item annotated list of books on cross-generational story telling. (SG)

Describes the Generations Together program, an intergenerational service-learning experience for undergraduate students and how the three generations - the young child, the college student, and the older adult - impact on each other. Presents the benefits to the participants, insights regarding children and their families, and students'…

Seminars on the topic of generational equity, a term which suggests conflict between meeting the needs of the young and the old, were sponsored by the Illinois Department on Aging in the spring of 1987 at 11 universities in the state. The seminars posed three major questions to participants from academia, state government, and the voluntary…

Describes a plan for a spelling bee in which both sixth graders and senior citizens participate. Argues that such an activity impresses students with the idea that school learning has practical applications in the lives of adults. (HB)

This guide describes intergenerational programs and provides ideas for initiating and implementing informal and formal interaction between youth and senior adults. Intergenerational programs can help dispel negative stereotypes that youth and older adults may have about each other. Successful programs provide rewarding experiences for both…

This document describes the intergenerational project conducted in the Cedar Falls Public School System (Iowa) that involved senior citizens and youths in a learning and sharing process. The county-based extension service supported by faculty at Iowa State University assisted in the recruitment and training of senior citizen volunteers.…

Examines the meaning of work for older adults in a sample of 146 older job seekers. Proposes four factors to the meaning of work: financial, personal, social, and generativity. Indicates ethnic and employment differences regarding the meaning of work. Jobs providing opportunities for transfer of knowledge and experience to younger generations may…

An evaluation determined the impact on participants of pilot intergenerational programs in the Central Greene, Quaker Valley, and Titusville school districts in western Pennsylvania. It examined how participation in project activities changed students' attitudes about older adults and aging. A four-part questionnaire consisted of the following:…

Argues that adults can provide and demonstrate to children a model for better understanding of the elderly and the aging process. Describes factors that interfere with intergenerational relationships, children's views of aging, and why biases exist. Contains tips for adults to bridge the gap by providing balanced views via children's literature.…

Grandparents in the Republic of China want to remain influential, but social policy has not provided them with education to fulfill their changing role. Examined the performance of grandparents to determine suitable content for an intervention program. A sample of 751 nonconsanguineous participants included 234 grandparents, 241 parents, and 276…