TOY Newsletter #28

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Issue nr. 28 – 18/11/2024

In this Newsletter, you will be able to read about another award that TOY for Inclusion received as an innovative and scalable education solution. We are also sharing information about an exciting new design project in Germany, where childcare and senior care will be combined in a workplace. The Newsletter gives you a sneak preview of the forthcoming illustrated children’s book ‘Mia goes on an adventure with mom’, inspired by the TOY for Inclusion Play Hubs in Slovakia. Finally, there are four more days left to register for the 1st hybrid international forum on intergenerational approaches in London, UK.

Latest News

TOY for Inclusion honoured at the HundrED summit in Helsinki

On 12 November 2024 at the HundrED Innovation Summit in Helsinki, TOY for Inclusion was announced as one of HundrED’s Global Collection of the most impactful and scalable innovations for 2025.

ICDI’s co-directors, Giulia Cortellesi and Asia Koerten were present at the summit and were honoured to accept the award on behalf of all the TOY for Inclusion partners, as well as the dedicated staff and volunteers who run the TOY for Inclusion Play Hubs in 10 countries.

HundrED is a mission-driven organisation with a goal of ensuring that all children flourish through equitable access to quality education.

“TOY for Inclusion Play Hubs” was first shortlisted by HundrED’s Research Team along with 244 other innovations from a pool of over 3000 applications. It was then evaluated for impact and scalability by 247of HundrED’s Academy Members, experts in the field of education. After this second round of evaluations, “TOY for Inclusion Play Hubs” was awarded a place in the Global Collection 2025.

New integrated model of childcare, education and senior day care for workplaces

Porto Dome, based in Germany, is launching a six-month feasibility study to test an integrated model of childcare, education, and senior day programs within workplaces. The goal is to support employees in balancing caregiving and careers while fostering intergenerational connections and well-being. This study will set the stage for a future pilot project that brings the Porto Dome vision for integrated childcare and senior care in the workplace to life. TOY is delighted to be partnering in this innovative project.

Oldest woman in Ireland joins students and young children to celebrate international Day of Older Persons

On 1st October, Atlantic Technical University’s (ATU) intergenerational group of B.Ed in Early Education and Care students and older volunteers celebrated International Day of Older Persons together with children from Early Years Settings and representatives from Age-Friendly Ireland.

There was a surprise message for the group from the oldest woman in Ireland, Ruby Druce aged 108. Ruby and her family made a short video of their family spanning 4 generations to mark the annual international day celebrated on campus.

ATU’s intergenerational programme, Creative Generations has been nominated for a national age-friendly award in Ireland. Congratulations to all involved.

Read this TOY Blogpost from 2022 about ATU’s intergenerational work.

TOY for Quality Programme – applications open

Are you interested in improving the quality of your intergenerational learning practice?

Then the TOY for Quality programme is what you are looking for!

With the support of a TOY Mentor and an easy-to-use Quality Assessment Tool you will be guided through a process involving joint reflection and action with colleagues in which the participants (children and older adults) in the IG activity also have a say.

Read more here if you are interested in applying for the TOY for Quality Programme, or contact us at info@toyproject.net.

Publications

New children’s book inspired by TOY for Inclusion Play Hubs

This is advanced notice of a beautiful illustrated children’s book inspired by the real-life experiences of families who participate in the TOY for Inclusion Play Hubs. ‘Mia goes on an Adventure with Mom’ is due to be published in December 2024.

Paz Heusser Ferrés, the author, was inspired to write the story as a way of bringing to life her post-graduate research in Utrecht University. The research, which took place in Slovakia – one of the countries where the TOY for Inclusion programme is active – focused on the benefits of Play Hubs for families of young children, especially those who may be migrants, displaced due to war or from minority groups.

Reading stories to children is one of the valued activities in the Play Hubs, which have book and toy libraries. ‘Mia goes on an Adventure with Mom’, illustrated by Emily Oxenaar will be a welcome addition in the Play Hub libraries.

Thanks for funding from TheirWorld, the book will be available in English, Slovakian and Ukrainian.

Upcoming Events

International Forum on IGL in early childhood in London

The Bright Start Foundation 1st international forum on intergenerational approaches in early childhood will take place 22 to 24 November 2024 in UCL East in London, UK. The event will be in hybrid format, in person at UCL East.

Click here for more information about the programme and how to register (registration close on 22 November).

Contacts

On the TOY website we commit to provide current and ground-making news, research and developments about the world of intergenerational learning involving young children and older adults. If you have a news item you would like to share with us, please contact us at:

International Child Development Initatives- ICDI

Margaret Kernan and Giulia Cortellesi

info@toyproject.net

www.toyproject.net

Together Old and Young builds all-ages-friendly communities

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International Child Development Initiatives – ICDI
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www.icdi.nl