There are striking similarities between the elderly and the young, they generally live for the moment rather than for productivity or agenda. Simple activities such as tending to flowers or building a tower shows the close connection with the essence for living. We see this similarity when spending time with the two different generations on a Tuesday morning, the wonder and amazement of something new: new faces, new activities, new questions.....the list is endless.

It is the highlight of the week for our elderly clients and for them who don't have family close by it could be their only opportunity to mix with young children. We have recently seen in the media, the benefits of the elderly mixing with young children but not as much focus on the benefits for the young children.

The older generation are a tremendous resource in early years. Today's elder generation are better educated, healthier and can be brilliant teachers to children, instructing with words, wisdom and patience. Spending time with the elderly can give young children a sense of community, some roots and history, giving them a sense of who they are and where they have come from.

These inter-generational bonds don't need to be traditional or biological. With the involvement of a reliable, caring adult, children develop high self esteem, better emotional and social skills.

The elderly can give young children the time and one to one focus and attention that many busy parents are unable to give. Their interests, skills and hobbies can be passed onto the children, role modelling a passion for activities other than educational.

Through their life experience, older adults can often bring with them a tremendous amount of patience. Knowledge, skills, and attitudes children pick up from elders tend to stick with them through life more than those picked up from other sources. By getting to know "real, live old people" children look beyond the ageist stereotypes. They become more comfortable with aging – which is really something we all do from the moment we're born. Children are also encouraged to look toward the whole of their lives. They have many models for adulthood, but far fewer for older adulthood. When they can see the whole of their lives, they are more motivated and see greater relevance between what they're learning in school and their future.

Channel 4 recently showed a documentary Old Peoples Home for 4 year olds. Follow the link to watch

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/old-peoples-home-for-4-year-olds