In Saskatoon, Canada, sixth graders spend part of their school year at the Sherbrooke Community Centre, sharing activities and conversations with elders living in long-term care. This cross-generational program not only enriches learning but also lifts spirits and enhances well-being for all involved.
- Students and elders engage in creative and social activities together.
- Daily meaningful interactions boost mood, health, and kindness.
- Long-term relationships deepen the impact over time.
What happened
In the city of Saskatoon, a group of 25 sixth-grade students spent an entire school year outside their traditional classrooms, connecting with elderly residents at the Sherbrooke Community Centre. This intergenerational program, known as iGen, involved a variety of activities like journaling, learning new technologies, gardening, and collaborative art projects. Participants included elders living with dementia and other conditions, fostering a vibrant mix of experiences and interactions.
Throughout the year, students, elders, and staff completed frequent surveys that measured the meaningfulness of their interactions, their emotions, physical health, and kindness shown. These evaluations occurred daily over two distinct periods—fall and the end of the school year—to track changes and overall impact. The findings demonstrated that meaningful interactions happened consistently and had notable benefits, especially as relationships grew deeper towards the program’s end.
Why it feels good
Both students and elders reported greater feelings of connection, improved well-being, and increased kindness on days with more meaningful interactions. This effect was especially strong across generations rather than just within the same age groups, revealing a special dynamic when young and old come together. For some residents, like Jodi, engaging in this program brought a dramatic uplift—from despair to a joyful anticipation of each day.
Experts suggest the long duration of the program, which allowed relationships to deepen over many months, was key to amplifying these positive effects. Meaningful engagement appears to support physical health, mental wellness, and social belonging, making programs like iGen a promising approach to nurturing happier, healthier communities.
What to enjoy or watch next
Emerging evidence supports expanding intergenerational initiatives like iGen to other regions and communities, as these programs can enhance education while promoting inclusion and well-being for all ages. Watching how young learners build empathy and skills by spending time with older adults offers a heartwarming glimpse into the future of meaningful education and community care.
For those interested, exploring local intergenerational programs, volunteering at nearby senior centers, or advocating for similar school-community partnerships could be fulfilling ways to experience these benefits firsthand. Documentaries and features about such programs often spotlight the unexpectedly profound impacts of bridging generational gaps through shared stories and activities.