This has been an amazing experience for all involved and it’s been very emotional to watch how much joy this brings to both the children and residents.
Dunkys Day Nurseries have put their heads together with the events co-ordinator of the care home and come up with lots of fun things for the children and residents to do each time they meet on a monthly basis. They have arranged for the children to visit the care home one month and the residents to visit the nursery the next, which is working really well and has had an extremely positive outcome. They have taken part in various activities together such as, an Easter egg hunt, a Burns day, reading stories, singing songs and joining in with lots of arts and night celebration crafts.
In addition to the new environment, children benefit from the praise and feedback they receive from the care home residents, and the residents, who could be lonely and socially isolated, enjoy the interaction with the children. They share stories, experiences and many develop a special bond with each other.
Research has shown that children who regularly spend time with the elderly enjoy a positive impact on language development. Many of the stories told by the residents are a sharp contrast to today’s digital world; giving children an appreciation for history, timelines and the people who lived in days gone by.
Respect, however, works both ways. The elderly often comment on how well behaved the children are and both enjoy sharing information about their different cultures.
As one of the Room Leaders described “It’s so beautiful to watch the old and young engage with each other. Both have so much to share and learn”.
Dunky's | Childcare in Warrington Runcorn and Widnes (dunkysdaynursery.co.uk)