The 5 benefits of intergenerational learning

Time with grandparents does more than you may think

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Photo by Ekaterina Shakharova on Unsplash

You may have heard about my Papa Jack before in a piece I wrote about Holocaust Remembrance Day. What you may not know is the important role he has played in the lives of my daughters, or in general about the ways in which grandparents, great parents, great aunts and uncles, and anyone from an older generation can benefit our kids.

As we spend time together this Summer, I am reminded of just how incredibly lucky I am to share both a great grandparent, and several grandparents with my children. Though I did nothing to make this possible, I certainly want to take the time to cherish it. As frustrating and complicated as many families can be, the magic we share when we spend time learning from the generations before us cannot be overstated.

1. They help connect us with history.

   While children naturally think they know everything, time spent with other generations can help to connect them to their past. It can model for them the beauty of change, of growth, and of time. While their family history may be long, the remarkable accomplishments of the past can motivate a greater view of the future.

2. They challenge what we take for granted.

   In my case, my grandparents' experience in the Holocaust can certainly teach my children about hope, about resilience, and about taking nothing for granted in their lifetimes. Even in less extreme examples, grandparents can elicit an appreciation for the ease of our children’s lives (minus the guilt), and the transformation of the world around them. Whether it’s phones that fit in their pockets, amazon orders that come in a day, planes that fly them around the world on demand, or the luxury of refrigeration, the world our children experience is one to be honored.

3. They connect us to tradition.

   We know from research that feeling a sense of belonging is a critical component in building self-esteem. Family traditions - large and small - help to increase this feeling for our children, and connect them to meaningful rituals that create strong family identity and bonds.

4. They slow us down.

   In this fast-paced world, it can be hard to find ways to slow down our lives and our thinking. Enter the older generations, with their slow and measured conversation, and topics for discussion outside the realm of the latest TikTok trends and reality TV. Slowing things down to spend quality time is a great exercise for all of us, and a rare chance to be present in a new way.

5. They model patience and perseverance.

   What better way to learn that life is long and the journey winding, then to learn it from an elder? Hearing about the trials and tribulations of older generations, and their experience in surviving and overcoming hardships, can model hopefulness and optimism for our younger (and often less patient and more cynical) children.

For the grandparents? The benefit of having more time to appreciate grandparenting than the hectic years of parenting. Plus, the opportunity to feel useful and loved, the chance to feel younger and more connected to what’s “new,” increased companionship, mental stimulation, and a change in the routine. Time spent with younger generations is associated with real positive outcomes.

While it may seem like these benefits are most easily delivered in childhood, studies show that close grandparent-adult grandchild relationships reduced depression in both generations. All these benefits outweigh some of the extra sugar, screen time and general chaos that may also be a part of these wonderful interactions!