UOW to launch new intergenerational play resource this morning

The University of Wollongong (UOW) will launch a new intergenerational play resource at the Discovery Space later this morning, designed to support those who wish to facilitate intergenerational playgroups.

Play for all Ages presents a structure for intergenerational playgroup sessions and showcases a range of activities and resources, Director of Early Start Research Professor Lisa Kervin explained. 

“We’re excited about this new resource because we know that intergenerational play offers many benefits to young and old,” Professor Kervin said.

“Research shows that children display higher levels of language and problem-solving skills when they have lots of contact with adults, and it’s especially good for older adults. Play promotes relaxation, reduces stress and helps to maintain cognitive skills such as memory and problem solving, and active play helps to increase muscle tone, coordination and reaction time.”

To launch the resource the University will host a Grandparents Morning from 10am to 11:30am where the resource will be showcased and children and their grandparents will come together to  participate in intergenerational play experiences in the Discovery Space.

The Play for all Ages resource has been in the making for many years. In 2019, the Playful Learning Space at UOW’s Early Start hosted a series of Intergenerational Play Dates with support from Early Start, Playgroup NSW, and the Illawarra Retirement Trust. Expert facilitators led sessions focused on music, stories, art, and movement which were observed and analysed by a team of researchers, led by Professor Kervin.

“We drew from the Intergenerational Play Dates experiences and developed our Play for all Ages resource to guide others who want to facilitate similar sessions,” Professor Kervin said.

“We’ve also designed an online Professional Learning experience which will accompany the resource, to make sure facilitators get as much from this new resource as possible.”

The resource launch coincides with Intergeneration Month which is recognised globally every September, celebrating the many benefits of relationships between older adults and younger people.