The story of Mark and how TOY for Inclusion is supporting him
February 3, 2020
Mark is 8 years old, one of 8 siblings, and is Roma, like dozens of others in the community of Spišský Hrhov, Slovakia. Read the story of Mark written by his headteacher, Peter Strážik who describes it as an extraordinary case, a memento, a gesture and an example for many, which deserves our attention and
Intergenerational public space in Dublin – what we can learn from history
December 2, 2019
A blog by Ekaterina Tikhoniouk, Dublin.
Ageless Play in Australia
September 23, 2019
Living in residential aged care can be lonely and socially isolating. It’s estimated up to 40 per cent of people living in aged care in Australia don’t get visitors.
The poetry of the encounter
August 26, 2019
A blog by Ron Otten, Friends of Biodanza Foundation, the Netherlands.
A book about a social grandmother in the Netherlands
June 11, 2019
In this blog Dutch children’s book author, Nathalie van den Thillart describes how writing a story about dream granny ‘Omi’ was the key to her recovery from a burnout.
How the TOY online course transformed our practice
February 25, 2019
The opportunity to participate in the TOY Online Course inspired Belfast Nursery Manager, Sharon Malcolm to transform the Nursery’s intergenerational experience from being a one-off visit for young children to a Care Home for older adults to being an integral part of the Nursery’s practice. Read her blog post below.
An intergenerational oral history project in Greece
January 25, 2019
“From one generation to the next” Older peoples’ role as guardians of knowledge, traditions and skills is central in vibrant learning societies, and is recognised in one of the TOY Goals. Young children too have a role in preserving cultural histories. In this blog post, Greek oral historian Kyriaki Fotiadou writes about a project, which
‘If you can talk you can sing’ – Donegal ‘Choir of Ages’ (Ireland)
November 30, 2018
‘If you can talk, you can sing!’ This is the motto of a new and innovative choir in Ireland that is doing a lot more than just creating a beautiful sound…. In a rural and sparsely populated area of north west Ireland, an intergenerational choir: ‘Choir of Ages’ or in the Irish language ‘Ceol le
Enriching children’s experiences with intergenerational contact from their neighbourhoods
November 8, 2018
“Outdoor environments of early childhood care and education (ECEC) settings have the potential of bringing young children in touch with their neighbourhoods. If designed with this function in mind these can also become spaces of intergenerational play and learning”.
The Tokyo playpark: a landscape for all ages
June 13, 2018
As part of their project “Moving Together – on the inclusion of elderly in the public space”, Danish architects Dominique Hauderowicz and Kristian Ly Serena paid a visit to the so-called Tokyo Playparks, where intergenerational encounters take place on an informal basis. Read their reflections in this blogpost.
Reflections on ageing and what young children and older people have in common
May 1, 2018
“I’d sincerely wish I could go back to school -I think that I would fit somewhere in eighth grade”- some reflections on ageing and what young children and older people have in common by ICDI‘s Nico van Oudenhoven. Novelist Ursula Le Guin died on 22 January this year, at the age of 89 years. A
Reading with Mr. Bob!
March 12, 2018
Before arrivals even begin, the children who participate in early day activities are abuzz, knowing that today is Wednesday and Wednesday means Mr. Bob is coming. Mr. Bob, or Robert Kleinfelder is one of number of older adults from the local retirement community who are senior volunteers in Seton Montessori School, Illinois, United States. Read
Sustainable Skills Cafés: Older residents demonstrate traditional skills to young children
February 28, 2018
Diane Boyd, Senior Lecturer in Early Years at Liverpool John Moore’s University has been an advocate for education for sustainability in early childhood for many years. In this blog post she describes an exciting new initiative she has started in Liverpool –intergenerational Sustainable Skills Cafés.
Japanese Delegation visit Innovative Italian Intergenerational Learning Summer Camp
January 29, 2018
La Crèche in Merate, Italy have been running their intergenerational summer camp since the beginning of the TOY Project. News of this innovative Intergenerational Learning (IGL) initiative has spread far afield. Recently, they hosted a delegation from Japan. Silvia Porta, from La Crèche, writes about the experience in this blog.
Primary school pupils interview older people about the history of war in their neighbourhood
January 9, 2018
Getting to know someone’s personal experience of an historical event by meeting them can be a richer learning experience than reading about the event in a book.
Intergenerational learning in public space: promoting young children’s citizenship
October 31, 2017
Read Tim Waller’s blog about the BRIC project designed to promote community engagement with young children in public space in England, Italy and Sweden.
Is there a tendency to privilege one generation in IG activities?
September 28, 2017
In August this year we posted a very upbeat news item on the TOY facebook about a Channel 4 documentary called Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds.
Pakistan, a country without homes for older people
May 22, 2017
Saleem Malik, a human rights activist in Pakistan makes the case for grandchildren and grandparents living close to each other and caring for each other.
Innovative intergenerational care in Fujisawa, Japan
April 24, 2017
ICDI partners with Leiden University’s School of Asian Studies in the latest TOY blogpost. It is written by Jos Schouwstra, who this month headed off to Japan to begin her research as part of her Masters in Asian Studies.
Nurturing the deep roots of intergenerational relationships in everyday life, across the globe
February 14, 2017
This post, written by Shanti George, emphasizes how important it is to appreciate and nurture existing intergenerational connections, wherever they are able to persist
Play Dates with the Elderly in Hong Kong
January 9, 2017
Having been inspired by the stories on the TOY website, Cleo Wong, a young mother and preschool teacher in Hong Kong, decided along with a group of other mothers to organize intergenerational playdates.
Shepherd of dreams: an intergenerational project in Nicaragua
December 8, 2016
In Nicaragua, the relationship between older adults and children takes the form of a welfare relationship, where mutual care for children and older people is central.
An intergenerational summer camp in Italy
October 13, 2016
In this week’s blogpost Akiko Shimizu, who is originally from Japan, reflects on her and her young daughter’s participation in a TOY inspired intergenerational summer camp in Italy.
Supporting intergenerational relationships in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
September 13, 2016
In rural villages in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa grandparents, especially grandmothers, often take care of young children.
