{"id":6071,"date":"2024-08-20T01:41:47","date_gmt":"2024-08-20T01:41:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ourlearningjourney.sg\/?p=6071"},"modified":"2024-09-05T09:12:35","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T09:12:35","slug":"this-cna-docuseries-shows-how-intergenerational-relationships-can-make-a-difference-to-the-young-and-old","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourlearningjourney.sg\/index.php\/2024\/08\/20\/this-cna-docuseries-shows-how-intergenerational-relationships-can-make-a-difference-to-the-young-and-old\/","title":{"rendered":"This CNA docuseries shows how intergenerational relationships can make a difference to the young and old"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Angilita Charles 
 
As visitors enter the St. John\u2019s- St. Margaret\u2019s (SJSM) Village, they may come across the elderly residents from the SJSM Nursing Home wheeled out for their morning \u201cwalk\u201d together with our children from Little Seeds Preschool (SJSM) enjoying their outdoor nature walk at the same time.  
 
When they cross paths, the organic interaction between both always warms my heart. The teachers and children will take time to greet the elderly residents and the elderly residents will be gleaming from ear to ear, excited to exchange greetings with our little ones!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our children meeting the elderly residents from the SJSM Nursing Home during their outdoor time <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Finding creative ways to bond during Covid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This spontaneous interaction was not possible when LSP (SJSM) first opened its doors as part of the Village \u2013 which houses the church, preschool and nursing home \u2013 in September 2022, as safe distancing measures were mandatory for both the vulnerable children and elderly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, once Covid restrictions relaxed, we finally organised our first face-to-face meeting between the children and elderly residents in August 2023, while ensuring that additional safety measures were kept in place.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Greeting each other despite safe distancing measures <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

 Blessed with the Village\u2019s intentionally designed infrastructural spaces for bonding, this unique setting allowed us to hold our first celebrations together on the link bridge which connects both the preschool and nursing home on the fourth floor.  
 
We stood facing each other, parted like the \u201cred sea\u201d, and celebrated National Day together. The children were extremely excited to perform for their new friends while the elderly residents were very sporting and sang along to \u201cStand up for Singapore\u201d and \u201cChan Mali Chan\u201d, cheering the children on.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Celebrating National Day 2023 at the link bridge which connects LSP (SJSM) and the SJSM Nursing Home <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Creating an Intergenerational Programme<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just like new neighbours in a new neighbourhood, the kampong spirit <\/em>slowly grew through structured and unstructured activities arranged by the church, nursing home and our preschool, resulting in the birth of our Intergenerational (IG) programme.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Structured activities included art and craft sessions, simple games and \u201cRecycled Drumming\u201d sessions conducted weekly over 8 months.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The residents and children practicing hard with the nursing home volunteers  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For some elderly residents, it was their first time playing an instrument. Coordinating the young and the young at heart was not an easy task, but their months of hard work paid off when they gave an amazing performance during an appreciation lunch for the nurses on \u201cNurses Day.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new band in town gained popularity and was requested to perform again on a larger scale for the SJSM Village Christmas celebration, Christmas @ Dover 2023.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our very own IG Drummers!  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Just like neighbours, the elderly residents and children celebrated festivities together. On Christmas last year, the children went over to the wards for caroling and blessed the elderly residents with special decorated ornaments.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During Chinese New Year this year, the children went over to \u201c\u62dc\u5e74\u201d (exchange New Year greetings) with oranges and wished the elderly residents auspicious blessings. The elderly residents in return were excited to bless the children with a \u201c\u7d05\u5305\u201d(red packet). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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One elderly lady was so moved by the childrens’ gesture that she had tears of joy!  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

All these bonding activities have given the elderly residents a renewed sense of purpose, hope and dignity.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of them said that they looked forward to meeting the children during morning walks and yearned to hear their laughter and cries when the school day starts. It gives them a sense of excitement with the children so close to them!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for the children, they learnt to respect the space they share with these elderly residents, by sharing a smile, a greeting or even a high five!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For some of the children who do not live with or have grandparents around, they learnt how to bond with the elderly through these simple activities as well as respect the older generation and their value in society.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This special relationship between the church, nursing home and preschool in the Village allowed us to foster inclusivity and build a strong bond as a community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Embarking on a 10-week journey for a new docuseries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Filming during one of the weekly IG sessions with the children and seniors <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It came as a pleasant surprise when ChannelNews Asia (CNA) picked up on our unique Intergenerational Programme and invited us to embark on a 10-week IG Journey for a new documentary series.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea was simple. Six children would be paired with six elderly residents from the SJSM Nursing Home. Together, they embark on an extraordinary journey to discover if bonds can transcend the vast differences in age, language, and life experiences.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Would these unlikely pairs bridge the gap and forge deep connections, or would their contrasting worlds prove too challenging to unite? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Filmed in SJSM Village, the docuseries features our children, teachers and staff and hopes to encourage Singaporeans to embrace IG as a way of life that will improve the quality of life and learning of both the young and old.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each week, the six children and six residents would come together to participate in various IG activities such as making onigiri, participating in a relay race and even a visit to the River Safari! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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