ERIC Number: EJ803481
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Aug
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0268-2141
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Role Played by Grandparents in Family Support and Learning: Considerations for Mainstream and Special Schools
Mitchell, Wendy
Support for Learning, v23 n3 p126-135 Aug 2008
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 grandparents play in the lives of families with non-disabled children. In contrast, there is limited research on the role played by and support needs of grandparents to families with disabled children. Recognising the significance of "family" rather than purely "parent"-based partnerships in UK schools, this article considers the role and importance of grandparents in schools; in particular, intergenerational learning, and how schools can begin to include grandparents and also provide support to meet grandparents' own support needs. Despite a limited literature on schools working specifically with grandparents of children with SEN, some policy and practice issues are discussed and areas for future consideration suggested.
Descriptors: Family Programs, Disabilities, Grandparents, Family Environment, Parent Role, Child Rearing, Foreign Countries, Family School Relationship, Intergenerational Programs
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Publication Type: Information Analyses; Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A