New Friends, Old Friends

Some of my favorite childhood memories involve people born a 

full half century before my arrival.   I am endlessly grateful for the ways my early years were enriched through relationships with older generations. 

That's me, standing in front of my Daddy. I'm
wearing a fabulous hat that looks like a marshmallow.

Something almost magical happens when oldest and youngest come together.  One roomful of Dock Mennonite Academy students is blessed with this wonderful opportunity.

There are lots of great reasons to pursue inter-generational  programming. These connections provide fun and meaningful associations.  Stereotypes and age-related myths are quickly dispelled when genuine interaction takes place.  

Intentionally gathering these kinds of groups benefits students by encouraging positive attitudes toward aging.  Blossoming communication skills are improved as children learn to engage with a population other than the child’s family or peer group. 

The children were finishing up their “Foodie Friday” snack when I arrived to accompany them on their monthly outing.  Lining up in front of the large classroom mirror, they checked their own images closely, wiping crumbs from mouths before heading out to meet their senior friends.

Our small students climb with great anticipation into the van sent by Living Branches for their journey to see their elderly friends.  They are excited for the trip!  “I’m going on a BUS ride,” remarked Audrey, one of the students in the 4-year old class.  There is lots of buckling to be done as the children situate themselves into the passenger van seats for the short drive to Souderton’s Living Branches.  New student Tanvi was riding a “bus” for the very first time and she laughed the whole way to the retirement community!

Elderly friends were ready and waiting!  These wonderful folks hold a lifetime of wisdom and knowledge and are usually more than happy to share some of their experiences with small people!  Sharing stories is a great way to become companions.

Mrs. Kehs at the head of the line.

Our students are balls of energy. Veritable sponges, constantly learning as they absorb the information offered through their surroundings.  

The activity of the day was planned by Mrs. Kehs.  The residents and students made wreaths by gluing construction paper leaves, tissue paper and foam stickers to a paper plate base.  Once greetings were shared, the children and their counterparts got down to the business of wreath-making.

Peeling the backs from foam leaf stickers proved a challenging fine motor activity for both small and senior hands.  Not dissuaded, they helped each other with sticker-peeling, sometimes relying on the young hands in the pair and sometimes relying on well-worn fingers.

The temperature in the gathering area was a good ten or fifteen degrees warmer than the temperature inside our school building.  It didn’t take long for accompanying teachers to begin shedding sweaters.  Somehow the residents looked nice and cozy in their extra layers!

Four-year old children have lots of questions. Touching her companion’s hearing aide, one little girl asked, “What is in your ear?”  Her patient friend answered kindly.  

“That is so I can hear you!”  

It is easy to see that the expansion of the normal social network is valuable to the seniors as well.  





The elderly friends enjoy looking at life once again through the eyes of a little child.  Even one hour monthly provides something great to circle on the calendar, a real highlight to anticipate.  

Singing was involved.  One of the residents serenaded the children with several verses of “How much is that doggy in the window” during wreath construction.  The children often sing songs for their senior friends after the craft time, but a shortened visit due to a transportation delay precluded group songs this time around.

Charlie and Sophie eagerly explained the gluing and sticking process to their elder companion when she requested that they “show” her how it is done. 

One of the sweetest interactions I observed was on the men’s side of the crafting table.  While affixing items to his project, one of Graham’s brown construction paper maple leaves escaped unexpectedly and floated gently to the floor.  It landed in the most inconvenient spot, directly under the center of the small student’s rather weighty padded chair.  The chairs were positioned in close proximity to one another, making retrieval of that leaf more than a little difficult.  Graham's senior friend went immediately to work, snaking his aged and rather long arm down…down…and down. Finally achieving a most contorted angle, his arm looked rather like a pretzel.  His appendage extended as far as it could possibly go, he stretched his hand resolutely until his middle fingertip reached that elusive leaf.  The persistent gentleman was rewarded with an openly grateful four-year-old grin, causing the very kind man (now gallant leaf retriever) to chuckle to himself with great satisfaction. 

The organizer of this association is one of our early childhood teachers, Mrs. Kay Kehs.  Kay takes turns with a staff member from Living Branches in planning a shared monthly activity so the mixed pairs can work together, completing projects and building relationships. 

Unplanned activities arise too!  On the day I accompanied the group, some of the partners were comparing whistling skills and playing peekaboo before their time together came to an end.

In the interest of resident privacy, photos of some of the best faces of the day cannot be shared in this blog.  Rest assured, the smiles were present and beaming.    

Communities benefit when people engage with one another and everyone feels included in the process. 

Classroom Aide Mrs. Kelly Kratz helping to secure the students in the "bus" for the drive back to school.

New friends and old friends, accepting one another just as they are. 
We are so thankful for this unique and rewarding opportunity for our students! 

Blog Photo Credit:  Kathy Gordon