For the next six weeks Charlton Heights are participating in a brand new Boogie Mites programme. Charlton Heights have been visiting their local care home, Olive Tree, for over a year now, but this time they are bringing the joy of music and dancing with them!
Studies reveal numerous benefits of regular intergenerational activities, such as improved physical, social, emotional, and communication skills. As a result, many nurseries and older person’s organisations have embraced intergenerational activities as a way to promote mental and social well-being.
The Nursery Manager at Charlton Heights, Steph states ‘Our children absolutely love their Care Home visit days, every time I walk into the room the children ask me, “How many more sleeps until the Care Home?!” The children have built genuine friendships with their older friends which is wonderful to observe. The benefits for all involved are clear to see and we have now been visiting the Care Home, twice a week for a whole year and we can’t wait for many more years to come.’
The Intergenerational sessions offer residents of care homes and children from the local community the chance to come together and engage in music, dance, story telling and movement activities. They provide numerous benefits that extend beyond entertainment.
So what are the benefits of nurseries interacting with care homes?
Social Benefits for the Children
Children have often not spent a lot of time interacting with the older generation outside of their home and new experiences like this are a great way for children to practice the social skills they’ve picked up.
Promoting Physical Health and Wellbeing
Young children, with their endless energy, need regular physical activity for healthy growth and development. Intergenerational sessions provide a structured yet playful environment for children to move, dance, and burn off energy, promoting physical fitness and motor skill development. Meanwhile as people age, maintaining physical activity becomes crucial for preserving mobility, strength, and overall health. These sessions incorporate gentle exercises through dance and movement, encouraging residents to stay active in a fun and engaging way. This can help improve circulation, enhance coordination, and reduce the risk of falls.
Communication and Language Benefits
Many children find it difficult to talk about personal and emotive feelings. The elderly can provide that space for the younger generation which allows them to open up without the worry of being judged or misunderstood. Participating in music and movement activities can also significantly boost mental health. Music has therapeutic qualities that can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, common among older adults. Residents can engage with children bringing joy and a sense of purpose, combating feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Understanding of the World
One of the best benefits for children is that they can learn about ageing and develop an understanding and respect towards elderly people.
Increased empathy
Many of the older generations have mobility issues and children quickly realise that their new friends are a little different to the adults they are used to. Children learn to take care of the elderly and start to understand that people have different physical abilities.
Entertainment for Residents
The elderly are entertained by hearing children’s stories and singing along to nursery rhymes that they may have sung when they were younger. Not only that, but it’s precious to watch the children’s excitement when they get to sing or tell stories.
Taking part in activities
It’s an opportunity for Children to play games and sing songs with the residents who often long for company.
After developing all of the above, children are left with an increase in self-confidence because of the positive interactions they gain with the elderly by feeling valued and important. Intergenerational sessions are also a powerful tool for enhancing the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of both the elderly and young children. By bringing together different generations through music and dance, these sessions create a vibrant community where everyone benefits.
Olive tree Care Home gave a brilliant testimonial which Happy Days, Charlton Heights would like to share with you, ‘We are delighted to share our overwhelmingly positive experience with Charlton Heights (Happy Day Nursery), who have been visiting our care homes (Olive Tree House and Rose Garden) weekly with their wonderful group of children. These intergenerational interactions have brought immense joy to our residents and their families, fostering an environment of warmth, connection, and mutual understanding. The impact on our residents has been remarkable—many of them eagerly look forward to the visits, and we’ve noticed increased engagement, brighter moods, and even a renewed sense of purpose.
The staff from Charlton Heights (Happy Day Nursery) have been exceptional in every way. They are consistently approachable, friendly, and always willing to lend a helping hand. Whether it’s facilitating activities or ensuring that the residents and children interact in meaningful ways, their enthusiasm is infectious, and it contributes greatly to the overall success of the program. We truly appreciate their dedication and the care they put into every visit.
The management team at Charlton Heights (Happy Day Nursery) has also been incredibly supportive, always responsive to any inquiries we may have and ensuring that the visits are well-coordinated and run smoothly. Their professionalism and commitment to making this initiative a success have made the collaboration seamless.
We’ve never encountered any issues, and we are genuinely thrilled with how this partnership has developed. We sincerely hope that this wonderful relationship will continue for many years to come, as it has become an invaluable part of our community and has enriched the lives of our residents.’
Thank you to Olive Tree Care home for accommodating Happy Days Nursery.
Source – The benefits of children visiting a care home – Connect Childcare & Boogie Beat
