Intergenerational Program
Merritt Academy’s Seniors and Students Together Intergenerational Program was established in fall of 1991 with the purpose of bringing together students and seniors to form an integrated group promoting the mutual sharing of skills and experiences.
The goal of the intergenerational program was to foster interaction and socialization between the generations, thus improving the quality of life for both groups.
All Merritt Academy students, infants – 8th graders, participate in the Intergenerational Program visiting six different assisted living communities throughout the Northern Virginia area.
During their visits, students and seniors participate in a wide variety of activities, including:
- Storytelling
- Sing-a-longs
- Arts and crafts
- Literary activities
- Community service projects
Our students enjoy spending time with their grandfriends, particularly learning about their past personal experiences. The children are often fascinated as they learn about how the world was different, and what it was like to be a child in an earlier time. The children breathe happiness and life into the senior communities, sharing their lives and experiences with their special friends. It is a mutually beneficial relationship, as the seniors are reinvigorated by the innocence and joy of the visiting children, while the children learn respect, patience and helpfulness.
“I like going to The Jefferson (Assisted Living Community) because it brings a lot of joy and happiness. My grandfriend really likes my visits and when I go and visit him I feel like I am bringing joy and happiness to him. Whenever I go to The Jefferson all I can do is smile and laugh because it brings me joy. If I could visit The Jefferson every day I would!” – Clarissa, a 4th grader
The intergenerational program can also be educational for the children, as they learn historical lessons through the first-hand, personal experiences of their grandfriends, like memories of war from decorated veterans. After a visit on Veteran’s Day, several 6th grade students remarked that,
“It was so much more interesting to talk about Veteran’s Day with people who had actually fought in wars.”
To learn more about how Seniors and Students Together benefits students and seniors, read about it in Northern Virginia Magazine.
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