A popular intergenerational program is set to fire back up this year after a successful 2023 full of connection, conversation and dance.
The Australian Institute of Intergenerational Practice (AIIP) recently shared a heart warming video of 27 Year 5 and 6 students from Undurba State School in Brisbane visiting Bolton Clarke Inverpine Retirement Village for a Music and Movement session.
Residents invited students to get up and dance to a variety of popular tunes from the last 80 years and were pleasantly surprised to see them all participate despite them only meeting each other that day.
Students also enjoyed discussions about a range of topics with the residents from school to hobbies and personal history.
The Music and Movement activity is part of every AIIP intergenerational learning and well-being program as it helps older people stay mobile while dance has proved to regulate the physiology of children and teenagers.
American psychiatrist, Doctor Bruce Duncan Perry, outlined 6 “R’s” in his Neuro-sequential Model for Education (NME). The model promotes the facilitation of activities that are Rhythmic, Repetitive, Relational, Relevant, Respectful and Rewarding to improve mood and learning capacity.
The sessions were successful because they were mutually enjoyable and beneficial. Students bonded with residents so much that they refer to them as the ‘Grand Friends’.
National Lifestyle and Wellbeing Advisor at Bupa Aged Care, Wendy Lawrence, was involved in facilitating these programs and is keen to see what’s in store for 2024.
“I loved being part of this very special intergenerational program. It’s a great example of what can be achieved when you bring together an inspiring group of people with a vision to build something great,” she wrote on LinkedIn.
“I can’t wait to see what 2024 brings for the students and their Grand friends!”
