Generations come together to build community connections 

Perth seniors and children came together last week for the first intergenerational morning tea  hosted by long day care centre Busy Bees at O’Connor (Busy Bees), with the event aimed to  strengthen community connections and foster meaningful relationships. 

In the inaugural event for its Intergenerational Play program, Busy Bees brought together  children and seniors for a morning of storytelling, arts and crafts, singing, gardening, and  puzzles, to support developmental progress for the children while remaining accessible for  seniors. 

Busy Bees at O’Connor Centre Director Joanne Nocon said the program is invaluable in  children’s social and emotional development, language growth, and even fine motor skills  through collaborative activities.  

“It was so wonderful to see the way that intergenerational play nurtured empathy, problem solving, and resilience skills that are vital for each child’s overall growth and to meet, and then  exceed early childhood milestones,” Ms Nocon said. 

“We received heartwarming feedback, parents shared that their children came home excited,  talking about their ‘new friends’, while carers of seniors told us how much joy and stimulation the  visit brought. 

“It was such a lovely opportunity to see the different generations connecting and enjoying each  other’s company.” 

As intergenerational play grows in popularity as an enriching activity, research is continuing to  find that intergenerational play promotes social inclusion for both groups, increases the self esteem of older participants, and reduces school-based problem behaviours from children1.  

The intergenerational play initiative at Busy Bees began when the centre saw an opportunity for both cohorts to benefit each other, children could learn from the wisdom and experiences of  seniors, and seniors could experience joy, and a sense of purpose and belonging. 

“We’ve already seen beautiful bonds form which enrich both groups in different ways for the children. The program encourages empathy, respect, and social confidence, helping them learn  patience, communication skills, and an appreciation of history and traditions,” Ms Nocon said. 

“For the seniors, it brings a sense of belonging, joy, and emotional wellbeing, as they share their  knowledge and engage in meaningful interactions.  

“What was most wonderful to see was the positive changes in children’s confidence and  communication after the intergenerational interaction.” 

Visit Busy Bees at O’Connor to find out more about the intergenerational play.