Children and the elderly can learn a lot from each other.
Bringing together Kelowna Montessori Elementary students at the Cottonwoods Care Centre, the kids and elderly residents collaborated on a mosaic celebrating Canada’s 150th, Tuesday May 16.
“It’s a way of doing service with people,” said teacher Bonnie Williams. “We call them grandmas and grandpas.”
The elementary school visits the care facility twice a month.
“Just because of the upcoming Canada Day and 150th birthday, we thought it’d be nice to incorporate (the students) into our project,” said rehab recreation assistant Peggie Collins.
The residents and students decorated white and red tiles to put together into a Canada 150 mosaic forming the shape of the Canadian flag.
“It’s a way of joining the different ages together,” said Collins, adding the events break down barriers and make the residents and visitors comfortable.
“Hopefully relationships build a little.”
Grade 7 student Abigail Smart enjoys visiting the care home, One of her favourite activities is to play bingo with them. “We do crafts with them and they tell us about their childhood. Sometimes they tell me gossip,” she said.
Residents Yvonne Maxwell and Yvonne Baranow say they enjoy the visits from the children.
The students started their visit with singing a few classic songs, before getting out the glue bottles.