Following are several paragraphs from

EurekAlert Public Release date: 11-Nov-2003

Title: Intergenerational program has benefits for children, older adults

Contact: Bronwyn Fees     fees@humec.k-state.edu     785-532-1476
Kansas State University  

The full text of the Release is at

> http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-11/ksu-iph111103.php <

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- In a time when children often live far from their
grandparents and older adults tend to be isolated from others, special ways
must be found for children and older adults to interact. A program through
Kansas State University is designed to create bonds between children and older
adults throughout the state of Kansas. And the evaluations of that program are
showing that these interactions are valuable and meaningful to all involved.
 
"The intent is to create meaningful relationships for a higher quality of life
that contributes to the whole community," she said. The ages of the children
participating range from preschoolers to adolescents, and depend on the
community. 

Fees is looking at how the program affects the children and adults,
particularly how sites maintain their programs, program reach and the effects
of interaction, particularly what the children and older adults are learning
about one another. 
---snip

"Older adults perceive that some children don't get enough individualized
attention," Fees said. "They say that some children don't have anyone to talk
to, and they see themselves as an alternative. They feel they are contributing
to the children's lives in a meaningful way." 

She said the older adults have enjoyed supporting the children and sharing
their talents and experiences with them.
---snip 

"The program is validating for the older adults and exciting for the children,"
Fees said. "We tend to isolate the activities of older adults from the
activities of those younger," Fees said. "This program gives the opportunity
for children and adults to engage in meaningful ways with one another." 
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Note added by Meyer Moldeven    Gmld3805@aol.com

I was particularly pleased to read the above Public Release because it confirms
(again) my layman interest in 'intergenerational communications' and my
writings on that subject.  

The full etext of the fourth edition of my title   A Grandpa's Notebook: Ideas,
Models, Stories and Memoirs to Encourage Intergenerational Outreach and
Communication (about 175 pages) may now be freely downloaded to your computer
from the Gutenberg Project. (The font may be changed or the size increased to
suit reader’s comfort.   The title is located at:

>  http://digital.library.upenn.edu/webbin/gutbook/lookup?num=2737  <          
 

The online version also states:  Permission herewith granted to private
individuals, intergenerational programs, senior centers, and public and
nonprofit entities to freely reproduce all or portions of this [A Grandpa's
Notebook] text for noncommercial purposes.
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