This report focuses on the findings from a literature review of what is known about the effectiveness of intergenerational practice, conducted by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) for the Local Government Association (LGA). The overall purpose of this study was to carry out a literature review of what is known about the…

The twenty-first century family faces many demographic changes. Despite this, the importance of intergenerational relationships remains. This article initially reviews the literature surrounding the role that grandparents play in their children's families, highlighting a growing body of research demonstrating the important support role that…

Overviews evolving program of interdisciplinary, multimethod research concerned with intergenerational communication. Concludes from studies that young people process and respond to speech of older people in stereotypical ways. Uses lifespan and intercultural perspectives to argue that communicative patterns observed in studies are sometimes…

How to design environmental education (EE) programs in ways that encourage children to influence the environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of adults has intrigued researchers for more than a decade. The authors review and synthesize results from 7 studies that sought to answer this question. The studies reviewed were conducted between…

Linking older people and school children provides benefits for both groups. Describes intergenerational education programs and lists resources to help school districts obtain information on model programs and apply for funding. (MLF)

Discusses the conceptual foundations of intergenerational programming. Identifies theories focused on (1) individuals and groups in interactive contexts and (2) individual development. Notes that few program evaluation reports have a conceptual or theoretical basis. (Contains 63 references.) (SK)

Focusing on the role of information in the planning and managing of intergenerational programs, this paper argues that two types of information--formal/objective and personal/subjective--must be addressed in relation to the problems of aging members of our society. These two types of information are characterized via illustrative stories: the…

Intergenerational day care is a growing trend. Training of dual caregivers involves three challenges: (1) identifying minimum knowledge needed to work with both adults and children; (2) lack of data on effects of intergenerational care; and (3) hesitancy of students and faculty to study/teach about both groups. (SK)

Experiences with family and intergenerational programs in English Second Language (ESL) literacy are reviewed, and factors that contribute to their success are discussed. It is suggested that as the notion of literacy expands, conceptual boundaries of the population of learners must expand also. While there is much to be learned from existing…

Existing work and research on literacy education across generations is reviewed, focusing on issues of gender inherent in literacy learning and considering them within a broader social context. In examining existing initiatives in family literacy, the meaning of intergenerational or family literacy is examined and critical questions about the…

This research review describes intergenerational program outcomes related to program activities and contexts. It identifies research and evaluation challenges: more effective use of theory, more cross-cultural research, expanded outcomes, and the need to use standardized measures. (Contains 41 references.) (SK)

Many environmental problems are desperately in need of attention. Educating both adults and young people is seen as part of the solution to such problems. Given this situation, and the already considerable investment in environmental education in schools, the notion of encouraging students to initiate environmental discussions with adults at home…

The next wave of educational reform proposals is targeting the persistent dropout rate and the declining level of adult literacy. Evidence of an intergenerational link between these two issues suggests the need for new models of education, holistic analysis of educational disadvantage, and family and community interventions. (SK)

This paper investigates existing research about the strengths and weakness of current family literacy programs and presents a 98-item list of family literacy activities across the curricula for adult educators to promote intergenerational literacy. Educational experts feel that family literacy programs need more evaluation, and that the…

The following intergenerational literacy programs are described in this document: (1) a Boston University program that provides about 112 hours of training for work-study students who then work as tutors for adults; (2) a program that uses the paired reading technique to involve parents in the development of their children's reading in the United…