Intergenerational Learning in Practice

Margaret Kernan is Senior Programme Manager at International Child Development Initiatives – ICDI, Netherlands, and overall coordinator of the TOY programme. Giulia Cortellesi is Senior Programme Manager at International Child Development Initiatives – ICDI, Netherlands, and coordinator of the TOY for Inclusion Project.

"The soul is healed by being with children. This book provides the scientific underpinning of Dostoyevsky’s wisdom. It gives inspiring examples of connecting the young and the elderly and how to strengthen community life." - Elly Singer, Associate Professor University Utrecht, The Netherlands, retired"Borrowing a term from the book, this edited volume is a good quality "polyvalent form" for it demonstrates multifunctionality. It consists of a high-grade compendium of theoretical reflections and inspirational practices around intergenerational learning, with a much-needed focus on young children, but beyond platitudes and caring for quality. Further, it presents readers with a broad spectrum of provocative questions and tips not only for but from intergenerational practice in a wide range of sites, cultural contexts and countries. Overall, it is an interesting jigsaw to play with while learning about intergenerational learning, and an excellent antidote for any older-people centered intergenerational work!" - Dr. Mariano Sánchez, Department of Sociology, University of Granada, Spain"There is much to love about this book. The opening passage illuminates the contours of meaning and joyful engagement between an older adult volunteer and a classroom of tuned-in 5-year-olds reading together. The following 14 chapters introduce fresh concepts, perspectives, and examples of "intergenerational learning" in Europe, Australia, and the U.S. My favorite highlights: an intergenerational summer camp in Italy; "culturally responsive" storytelling to expose Aboriginal children to indigenous language and knowledge; intergenerational "play hubs" created with Roma children; and some spatial concepts and considerations for designing age-inclusive public spaces." - Matthew Kaplan, Professor, Intergenerational Programs and Aging, Pennsylvania State University, USA

• List of ContributorsChapter 1 - Introduction to TOY Approach to intergenerational learning Margaret Kernan and Giulia CortellesiPart One – Intergenerational learning context, theory and researchChapter 2 - The changing lives and relationships of young children and older adults: implications for intergenerational learningCarmel GallagherChapter 3: Towards a pedagogy of intergenerational learning Anne Fitzpatrick Chapter 4 – "Old Peoples Home for 4-Year-Olds": a social experiment looking at the impact of contact on health and wellbeing Rachael Dutton and David Williams Chapter 5 - Hearing children’s voices in intergenerational learning and practiceJennifer Cartmel, Katrina Radford, Kevin Bell, Xanthe Golenko and Anneke FitzgeraldChapter 6 - Everyday encounters in public spaces - spatial potentials for intergenerational relationshipsDominique Hauderowicz and Kristian Ly SerenaChapter 7 - Building all-age friendly communities and services Victoria Titterington, Julie Melville and Lynn JohnstonPart Two - Inspirational IGL PracticesChapter 8 - Playing for CohesionStanislav Daniel, Szilvia Rezmuves, Giulia Cortellesi and Zorica TrikićChapter 9: Young children and older adults under one roof. Providence Mount St. Vincent—Seattle, a pioneer of intergenerational careSusan P. Clark and Marie L. HooverChapter 10: Intergenerational Learning in Australian Aboriginal Communities Libby Lee-Hammond, Jessica Harpley and Elizabeth Jackson-Barrett Chapter 11 - The role of the pedagogical coach in the encounter between older adults and children in BelgiumJoke Den HaeseChapter 12 - An Intergenerational Early Childhood Sustainable Skills Project Diane Boyd and Catherine McNeill Chapter 13 - An intergenerational summer camp in Italy Silvia Porta and Ilaria FarinaChapter 14: Ensuring quality in intergenerational practice Margaret Kernan, Carla Dessi and Giulia Cortellesi Index