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quadro2000 · 10-22-2003, 06:30 AM

Hmm. I dunno. I think theoretically it's an okay idea but the way you describe it is relatively unstructured. I think it's a VERY GOOD idea for kids to have regular interaction with senior citizens, but if I were parent and/or a teacher, I wouldn't want them doing things like helping out with homework. Too many influences and opinions will dilute the messages and lessons taught to them by the teachers. Even parents can do this. My dad's a science teacher, and when I came home and asked him about science homework, he'd go into an entire treatise about how my teacher was wrong and the lessons were wrong and etcetera etcetera. I stopped going to him for help and did fine in science. I got lessons from my teacher and from approved tutors in the subjects. I don't think senior citizens are qualified to give that advice simply based on the fact that they are senior citizens.

As for them helping out on the playground, again, in theory, a good idea, but kids are rather rowdy and rambunctious on the playground at recess, and what if somebody gets hurt? Who's watching the kids and who's watching the seniors?

I'm not suggesting that senior citizens are helpless or irresponsible. But people are hired to do the jobs you mention based on their qualifications. I fully agree with the idea of the two buildings being in close proximity and scheduling weekly activities with both groups so they DO understand the value in the elderly, and also so the elderly see the value in youth.

In junior high I helped run an event called "Intergenerational Day" which did just that - we spent the day discussing various issues, playing games, eating together, and celebrating our ages, our similarities and our differences. I'd love to see an event like that once a week on a smaller scale for kids in elementary school. If the buildings were in close proximity or even in the same building, I guess that would be fine, but I think kids also need a chance to just be kids.

Just my two cents...

10-22-2003, 06:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
quadro2000 All Possibility, Made Of Custard Location: New York, NY	Hmm. I dunno. I think theoretically it's an okay idea but the way you describe it is relatively unstructured. I think it's a VERY GOOD idea for kids to have regular interaction with senior citizens, but if I were parent and/or a teacher, I wouldn't want them doing things like helping out with homework. Too many influences and opinions will dilute the messages and lessons taught to them by the teachers. Even parents can do this. My dad's a science teacher, and when I came home and asked him about science homework, he'd go into an entire treatise about how my teacher was wrong and the lessons were wrong and etcetera etcetera. I stopped going to him for help and did fine in science. I got lessons from my teacher and from approved tutors in the subjects. I don't think senior citizens are qualified to give that advice simply based on the fact that they are senior citizens. As for them helping out on the playground, again, in theory, a good idea, but kids are rather rowdy and rambunctious on the playground at recess, and what if somebody gets hurt? Who's watching the kids and who's watching the seniors? I'm not suggesting that senior citizens are helpless or irresponsible. But people are hired to do the jobs you mention based on their qualifications. I fully agree with the idea of the two buildings being in close proximity and scheduling weekly activities with both groups so they DO understand the value in the elderly, and also so the elderly see the value in youth. In junior high I helped run an event called "Intergenerational Day" which did just that - we spent the day discussing various issues, playing games, eating together, and celebrating our ages, our similarities and our differences. I'd love to see an event like that once a week on a smaller scale for kids in elementary school. If the buildings were in close proximity or even in the same building, I guess that would be fine, but I think kids also need a chance to just be kids. Just my two cents... __________________ You have to laugh at yourself...because you'd cry your eyes out if you didn't. - Emily Saliers