Because no program existed in the Pottstown, Pennsylvania area which allowed children and senior citizens to interact in mutually beneficial ways, a practicum was designed to implement an intergenerational program in an elementary school attended by 540 students in grades K through 5. The intervention consisted of monthly meetings with volunteers,…

In a day care center which enrolled children between 14 months and 5 years of age, a child caregiver implemented a practicum study in order to allow children and older adults the opportunity to interact with one another for their mutual benefit. Goals were to: (1) increase children's positive attitudes toward older people; (2) seek positive…

Describes the development and implementation of a writing project for which students wrote letters to senior citizens. Reflects on students' writing improvement and positive attitude toward writing. (SRT)

Discusses and reviews intergenerational programs designed to help some of society's most at-risk young citizens and simultaneously enrich the lives of the older adults involved. (BB)

This book profiles 74 intergenerational programs in the United States. The programs range from basic tutoring projects to a sophisticated corporate-based day care center. Project selection was based on replicatable programs involving mutually beneficial exchanges. Grouped by subjects, profiles include programs targeting both young and old. Most…

Based on the view that intergenerational friendships between older adults and high school students enrich the lives of both groups, the Grandfriends Project is a program for bringing students and elderly members of the community together. High school students receive "basic training" for visiting a nursing home, are taught listening and…

This issue of "Service Learning Network" examines a world where teachers, students, and community members break the age barrier in service to their communities. "Images of Intergenerational Service" (Paul Simon), offers images of intergenerational service from political and personal points of view. "The Gathering of…

Forty-plus staff have wisdom and experience to share and can bring a quiet, focused, and enthusiastic attitude to camp. If directors nurture this, they may receive life-long commitment from older staff members. Sidebars present tips on hiring older staff and research information indicating that many middle-aged Americans want to give time to…

A parent and communications professor describes his family's long-standing participation in home schooling, highlighting efforts to provide socialization and service education, uphold academic standards, and integrate learning activities into everyday life. Home schooling is a labor of love. Children benefit from experiencing the focused attention…

Seven older adults and 20 occupational therapy students participated in book discussions. Focus groups and journal analysis indicated that discussions helped develop rapport and relational links between book topics and participants' experiences. Reciprocal learning expanded each generation's perceptions of the other. (Contains 22 references.) (SK)

A Massachusetts camp for girls with diabetes offers advice on expanding programs to a year-round, intergenerational basis. Committed leadership is needed to implement the necessary needs assessment and program planning. Facilities must be winterized and funding efforts expanded. Build slowly, be patient, and use evaluations to guide program…

Describes the "Helpers Promoting Literacy" program to encourage young teens to read aloud to young children and to have both groups evaluate the books being read. Discusses the volunteer training and suggests tips for reading aloud to children. (FMW)

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)

Demonstrates the benefits of intergenerational reading to children, seniors, parents, and libraries, and surveys library programs in Arizona, California, and New Mexico that mix generations with books and reading. The programs described vary from scheduled to spontaneous. (EAM)

Increasingly, colleges and universities are establishing retirement communities on or near campus to attract active and generous alumni. The communities provide opportunities for continuing education and intergenerational contact. The working relationships between institutions and retirement communities are varied. Suggestions are made for…