The teaching team from Eynesbury Kindergarten , together with Area Manager Janet, have been working collaboratively with the City of Melton Early Years Partnership Team and Playgroup Victoria to establish a registered Intergenerational Playgroup program for a group of four-year-old kindergarten children.
This initiative has involved extensive planning, consultation and coordination between all stakeholders to ensure the program is meaningful, inclusive and sustainable for children, families and older participants. The development of the program has been guided by the Intergenerational Playgroup resources and framework developed by Playgroup Victoria, which promotes opportunities for young children, families and older adults to connect through shared experiences, play, creativity and social interaction.
As part of the implementation process, all participants involved in facilitating and supporting the playgroup have undertaken Intergenerational Playgroup training through Playgroup Victoria. The training included modules focused on safety, planning, playgroup facilitation, promoting respectful relationships, infection control, engagement strategies and creating welcoming and inclusive environments for all participants. The program officially commenced last week and has already been warmly welcomed by both the children families, and our elders alike . The sessions have created opportunities for connection, conversation, shared play and meaningful relationships between generations. The children have quickly formed positive relationships with the older visitors and are affectionately referring to them as the “Nanna’s,” demonstrating the sense of belonging and connection already developing within the group.
Intergenerational playgroups are designed to provide enjoyable and creative opportunities for people across generations to engage together through music, games, storytelling, art, outdoor experiences and open-ended play. Research highlights the positive benefits for all participants, including increased social connection, emotional wellbeing, confidence and opportunities for cognitive and physical stimulation. For older adults, these experiences can support social inclusion and reduce feelings of isolation, while children benefit from developing empathy, communication skills, confidence and respect for older generations.
The Eynesbury Intergenerational Playgroup will continue to run once a fortnight until the end of the year and will serve as an important pilot model to help inform future intergenerational opportunities across services and the wider community. We are excited to see the potential of this program.