The Benefits of Intergenerational Learning in the Montessori Classroom
At Grey Matter Montessori, we believe school is about more than just memorizing – it’s about gaining life-experiences that will equip children with the tools they need in order to grow and learn throughout their lives. That’s why we do our best to create a diverse environment that will help support this doctrine. Those diverse life experiences include Intergenerational learning, which plays a key role in equipping our preschool/kindergarten students for diverse life experiences.
Children and retirees don’t mix – or at least that’s the common thought on the matter. And, at first glance, that thought makes sense. Kids are little explosions of energy – often with little regard for rules or decorum – while older folks tend towards a much less active lifestyle, and rely on decorum to avoid social dilemmas. Putting the two together seems like a recipe for stress on both ends. But, that’s taking a very narrow minded view of both our elders, and our children.
In Montessori-style classrooms, we prefer to look outside the box, at the bigger, beneficial picture. Previously, we’ve covered the benefits of mixed ages in a classroom setting, but at Grey Matter Montessori, it doesn’t stop with mixing our classes. We believe young children can bring great blessings to their elders, and that elders can bestow wisdom and calm on our children. But, to attain this, we need to create a safe place where they can interact.
Currently, we at Grey Matter Montessori in Northwest Calgary work together with a local assisted living facility to give our children, and elders in the community, the benefits of intergenerational learning. Twice a year, we take our children to Calgary’s Covenant Care facility to engage in guided games and interact with seniors. The results of these trips have proven to be incredibly positive for both our kids, and the older folks, so much so that Grey Matter Montessori is starting a pilot project – inviting seniors to come visit us in our school environment, too.
It’s easy as instructors to get lost in the maze of facts and skills we need to teach children, and lose sight of the great diversity of life out there. But we firmly believe that it is our job as teachers, guides, and mentors to do more than just lay out facts in front of our students.
At Grey Matter Montessori, we strive to help our students learn through a variety of ways, so that when the questions in life are no longer answerable through multiple choice, they can remain well-equipped to answer them, still. For more information about Montessori-style classrooms, or Grey Matter Montessori, give us a call today!
Grey Matter Montessori gives Calgary children a strong start through hands-on learning, thoughtful guidance, and a full Montessori program. In a welcoming environment, children build independence, confidence, social skills, and a genuine love of learning. Parents choose Grey Matter for an education that prepares their child for school and helps them grow beyond it. Preschool & Kindergarten, Montessori Calgary.
