Why intergenerational reminiscence work?
We all enjoy a good trip down memory lane, whether we are 8 or 88 years old. Children talk about what they did on holiday, where they went with their friends or what happened when they were in 'Mrs so-and-so's' class at school last year. The use of reminiscence work is now well documented and, particularly for older people, the benefits are many and varied. The following list, taken from Faith Gibson's book, Reminiscence and Recall, Age Concern England 1994, gives a good idea of the positive effects of reminiscence. Several of the points can be applied particularly to intergenerational work:
Ten good reasons for doing reminiscence work
- It connects the past with the present
- It encourages sociability
- It provides enjoyment on many levels
- It preserves cultural heritage
- It alters people's perceptions of each other
- It reverses the gift relationship
- It enhances a sense of identity and self-worth
- It helps a process of positive life review
- It helps with assessment of needs and functions
- It reduces distance between carers and clients
Gains for the younger people
- Innovative, formal and informal learning opportunities
- Developing respect for other generations and communities
- Associating the past with living people
- Sharing skills and experiences
- Understanding some of the ways in which things have changed
- Appreciation of modern opportunities
- Applying new information to their own family (especially grandparents)
- Discovering information through personal enquiry
- Being able to demonstrate their own knowledge
- Increasing vocabulary
Gains for the older people
- Meeting and working alongside other members of the community
- Seeing some common threads between generations
- Being appreciated for one's life experience
- Realising the depth of one's own knowledge
- Passing on skills and knowledge
- Developing skills, confidence and self esteem
- Being appreciated by and developing greater awareness of a younger generation
- Sharing personal information in a friendly atmosphere
It would be interesting to review these lists after taking part in a reminiscence project and asking children to consider what their 'top ten' points might be.
