Using children’s Literature to Inspire Intergenerational Learning

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis paper reviews five examples of award-winning children’s literature, all in picture book format, that have been used extensively at The Intergenerational School in Cleveland to stimulate intergenerational conversation, discussion, and projects. Each of the books depicts the relationship between younger and older individuals in powerful, positive and sensitive ways. Two of the books explicitly include characters who are experiencing memory challenges, though the terms dementia or Alzheimer’s disease are never used. The books lend themselves to storytelling and reminiscence and can thus be the foundation for a variety of learning activities involving narrative, writing, art, history and culture. The authors provide examples of how each book has been used with children and elders but most importantly, the goal is to inspire others to find similar books and opportunities for intergenerational learning in their own settings.