"Grandparents University", a program planned and sponsored collaboratively by the University of Wisconsin--Extension Cooperative Extension Family Living Programs and the Wisconsin Alumni Association, was designed to enhance the relationship that exists between the grandparent and grandchild. In July of each year, grandchildren between…

This article builds upon the idea of audacious hope in action described by Generett and Hicks in "Beyond Reflective Competency: Teaching for Audacious Hope-in-Action." Outlining the difficulties that teachers experience sustaining hope, the author describes the survival strategies used by African Americans to remain hopeful when there was little…

The family is centre stage of many current policy agendas and this is an exciting time to expand the understanding of the wider benefits of learning as a family and in a family. This article aims to open up new discussions and debate on using the concept of "family capital". The author states that as the debate on the social value of…

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…

This brochure presents new perspectives and opportunities in family literacy. The brochure offers seven ideas as a definition of family literacy, and discusses why family literacy is important. It also discusses three areas where family literacy is taking place (studying the ways literacy is used by families, parent involvement initiatives, and…

Section I of this paper notes that, because the mandate of this paper is to explore the potential contributions of older adults to adolescent development, its particular focus will be on elder service initiatives and on the practices and policies required to stimulate intergenerational cooperation. The argument is offered that engaging elders to…

This document contains a brief bibliography of peer-reviewed literature, with abstracts, on intergenerational relationships. It is one of 12 bibliographies on aging prepared by the National Agricultural Library for its "Pathfinders" series of publications. Topics covered by the other 11 bibliographies include aging parents, adult…

Shuan Butcher is director of the Center for Youth as Resources in Washington, DC, a national organization that connects youth to their communities through local Youth as Resources (YAR) programs, which engage youth as problem solvers, partners, and stakeholders in positive community change. In YAR, young people and adults work together as equal…

Surveyed 88 female participants of community-based age-integrated water exercise program designed to enhance comfort and social interaction. Affective measures and observation of membership as a support group elicited few differences by age. Members endorsed having age integration in classes and there was little indication that subgroups of…

This book documents examples of intergenerational learning, reflecting a wide range of approaches and goals. It describes a literacy enhancement project in which senior citizens work with elementary students, an intergenerational orchestra whose members range in age from 6 to 88, an intergenerational living history theater project, and an…

The intergenerational field began in the early 1970s as a social phenomenon in response to several factors that were affecting America's children, youth, and older adults. This paper briefly surveys three aspects of intergenerational programs: history and development, public policy focus, and recent research initiatives. The multi-disciplinary…

Argues that shared play experiences are a good way to build mutually beneficial relationships among older and younger generations. Outlines why intergenerational play is important, focusing on its cognitive, social, physical, and emotional benefits for both older adults and young children. Describes toys, materials, and games conducive to positive…

Describes how students listen to the stories of a retirement home and write tribute songs based on the stories. Notes that because students are accustomed to a classroom life of telling stories and listening to stories, it is easy for them to enter into the story-worlds of their elders, to connect with words and to piece together stories. (SG)

Study finds that the transition of grandchildren to higher education improves the quality of the grandparent-grandchild relationship. For grandparent mentoring, there is evidence of a generational stake, with grandparents overestimating their mentoring role during this transition. Findings indicate that the intergenerational literature can be…

Designed program for preschoolers and elders to promote sharing, cooperating, and helping behaviors in children. Used contact with natural grandparents in preschool, regular elderly volunteers in preschool, competent elderly visitors, contact with less able elders in nursing home, and classroom activities about older adults. Program resulted in…