This report presents the feelings, ideas, and recommendations of 349 individuals in Illinois who attended Circle of Helping meetings, seven regional meetings held in early 1990 to create momentum for intergenerational program development, to increase awareness of the benefits of intergenerational programs, and to emphasize the interdependence of…

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)

Proposes eight basic assumptions that seem to underly the practice of multigenerational family therapy, theory development, assessment, and research by a theoretically divergent group of family-oriented scholars and practitioners. (Author)

Attitudes of administrators of adult (n=34) and child (n=192) day care centers were affected by more frequent exposure to intergenerational programming. Educational attainment had no effect on attitudes. Younger respondents were more positive than older ones. (SK)

A needs assessment of 161 Extension educators in family and consumer science and 4-H/youth development received 28 responses indicating preferences regarding intergenerational program content and delivery format. Results were used to develop curriculum and program delivery strategies and begin planning for a statewide intergenerational program.…

Elderly volunteers in the Young at Heart child care program (n=14), Meals on Wheels (n=14), other volunteer activities (n=24), and nonvolunteers (n=49) were compared. Although child-care volunteers were expected to score highest in generativity, volunteers in other activities did, followed by Young at Heart volunteers. (Contains 10 references.)…

A collaborative project of an Australian university, elementary school, and older adult volunteers incorporated lifespan education in grades 2-4. Five elements enhanced sustainability: contextual monitoring, working with change, lifespan curriculum, changing demographics, and funding. Potential hindrances were time, an overcrowded curriculum, and…

Describes the evaluation of an intergenerational storytelling program, offering reflections on the evaluation of practice from an initial evaluation approach of interpretive responses to an ending framework of narrative for the evaluation. (SLD)

Reviews prior work to develop the profession of intergenerational specialist. Presents guidelines and standards for professionals that outline the common core of knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Discusses modifications to the guidelines that were made based on feedback from the field. (Contains 18 references.) (SK)

In an experimental evaluation of a "friendly visitor" type of program in which adolescents visited senior citizens, it was found that general attitudes toward elderly people improved following weekly contact with specific elderly persons. Two outcomes of these programs were found: the provision of service to the elderly and the change of negative…

Explains intergenerational literacy, and provides responses from two educators who offer their perspectives and suggestions on intergenerational literacy programs. (MG)

Intergenerational programs bring older volunteers into classrooms to share skills and experiences with students. Program development has seven steps: needs assessment, job description, recruitment, screening, orientation and training, recognition, and evaluation. (SK)

U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum has become the leading Republican advocate for education. She shares AASA's support for the Head Start program, but is skeptical about financing a federal day care program. She also supports latchkey, intergenerational, and vocational/technical programs, and favors community volunteering over a national youth service…

At the community level, literacy improvement can no longer be the mission of a single organization. Successful literacy intervention is a family goal. Many are intrigued with the common sense of the new collaborative literacy programs and hope that they will succeed in breaking the intergenerational cycle of low literacy. (Author/JOW)

Participants in an intergenerational school volunteer program (26 adults over 60) completed memory instruments at 3 time periods. The effect of program participating on actual and perceived memory function varied with age and educational level. Dramatic positive mood changes were noted for those over 70 and those who were college educated. (SK)