Once a month, children from Altona Kindergarten visit their local aged-care facility, where they are fast forming friendships with residents.
About 30 children catch the bus to Estia Health at Altona Meadows as part of their inter-generational learning.
Their last visit had a farm animal theme, with children and residents bonding over animals in a petting zoo.
Teacher Sue Johnson said the interaction benefited everyone involved.
“It all started last year with us doing the inter-generational visits, learning about the importance of the connection between the young and old,” she said.
“The animals were spectacular. I saw one lady there, she had about three chickens sitting on her.
“They love the animals and enjoy having the children there – the combination of both allows the older folk to open up. You can just see the joy on their faces.
“Wonderful relationships are developing between the children and the older folk, and between us with the professionals down at Estia. There’s just so many benefits on both sides.”
The children and residents also work with Lego and do colouring-in together, while residents from Estia have visited the kindergarten to get involved in gardening with the children.
