By Erika Smith; Community Life Coordinator.
With lots of little ones heading back to school means great opportunities will soon begin to happen at Woodstone again this school year. Last year Woodstone paved the pathway and partnership with Kings Kids Preschool that is right next door. “We started this program with the intent to enrich the lives of those who lived at Woodstone, but to also build a bond with the little ones to let them know older adults are not scary,” stated Erika Smith, Community Life Coordinator at Woodstone. Within our first year the inter-generational program focused on Kings Kids Fives preschool class. We enjoyed many afternoons of reading together, playing color bingo, planting and much more. By the end of the year the bonds and relationships created made it sad to see it come to an end with those heading off to Kindergarten. The residents felt truly blessed to get to know so many great kids.
Woodstone and Kings Kids couldn’t have been happier how the Inter-generational program unfolded, so the planning began quickly, but this time all classrooms wanted in on this great opportunity! Last week we were back in full swing with our first classroom and group of kids. We start off slowly so the kids have time to take in their setting, get to know the residents and become at ease with sharing ideas and conversation while in a school setting. We are excited to see all the kids blossom in relationships, nurture their compassion towards older adults and become comfortable in a Senior Living Setting.
