Connecting Children and Seniors: a Special Bond
By Ewa Frydel, Owner
At times children can be afraid of the elderly, but many studies have shown that the bond between a child and a senior demonstrates incredibly healthy benefits.
Our youth can experience great humility, wisdom, and unconditional love from someone much older than them. Our elderly can experience a youthful heart, pure joy and the tender love and affection that a child can bring.
Whether you’re introducing a new child to your aging family member or they’ve known them for several years, this article will highlight the benefits of connecting children with our senior loved ones.
Gift of Wisdom
To start, elderly people have many years of life behind them, while our children have many more ahead.
Bridging the generations can increase knowledge on both ends, boosting cognitive health.
For instance, our children have more experience with technology while our seniors have more knowledge about historical events.
It’s a classroom at home and with naturally occurring familial bonding.
Respect for Elders
Children can also learn a great deal about respecting those who are older, a tradition that has faltered over the past few decades.
Each, however, our youth and our elderly, can learn a great deal about each other’s cultures. This helps both generations develop more of an open-mind to other’s livelihoods, that not all of us have lived or will live the exact same way.
A trait we can definitely instill within our youth.
Love and Support
Our elderly loved ones benefit by receiving emotional and physical health.
Children help seniors feel less lonely and remove feelings that come with isolation. Connection alone has wondrous effects on our seniors. Both generations have the opportunity to feel valued and appreciated.
Active Lifestyle
In addition, children are very active and allow our seniors to move a little more than without the presence of a child.
Our youth want to play and have fun very often. If your senior interacts with your child during play time, your child isn’t concerned about the age difference.
There will only be joy, connection, and knowledge gained.
They will remember the time spent together as years pass saying, “Grandpa made this for me” or “Grandma made the best cookies”.
A Special Bond
The bond between a child and an elderly person can truly be understood if you are one of them.
Try to remember someone you loved from your youth who was much older than you were.
How did you feel around them?
What did you learn?
If you are a senior, how do your grandchildren make you feel?
What feelings do you get when you see a child at play?
Introduce your children to your senior family members and allow them to be themselves. Let your kid be a kid with Grandma or Grandpa.
On that note, let your mom or dad be the big kid they get to be when interacting with your child.
Encourage and promote this connection and you will see more smiles on the faces you have loved for years, and will love for years.
For more tips on engaging your children with your senior loved ones, contact us.
We’re here to help!
Legal Disclaimer
This blog provides general information and discussions about getting the elderly to connect with children and should not be construed as medical advice.
