It isn’t often that the elderly get to feel young again, but North Jackson Elementary School officials are aiming to do that through a new classroom program where preschoolers and nearby nursing home residents interact to learn together.

“They love being around our little ones and listening to them talk and play and sing,” said Principal Anthony Frazier, whose school brings its 3-and 4-year-olds to the nursing home next door. 

The Intergenerational Classroom program is a partnership between NHC HealthCare and the elementary school that Frazier said brings about 16 to 18 preschool students for once-a-month visits to the nursing home residents. Frazier said it’s replaced one of the two things residents say they miss the most: pets and kids.

“We just felt like it’s a great way to give back,” said Frazier, adding the residents also act as role models to the preschool students. “The world’s changed so much, and they can share that with the little ones.”

But Frazier said the program’s benefits cut both ways and that the students are also getting opportunities to learn. The program originally got its start as an idea from one of the school’s teachers, he said. 

During visits, the students are divided up into three groups who experience rotating stations of activities with the seniors. Students might hone their fine motor skills by sculpting with Play-Doh, blowing bubbles, running under a parachute held up by the seniors or playing corn hole. Residents also have lunch with the preschoolers before they go home for the day. 

“It just kind of helps these little ones reduce fear,” Frazier said, adding he saw a difference after a repeat visit the following month. “We could tell a big difference from the second time we went.”

Julie Shipp, who manages scheduling and records for the nursing home, also has a daughter in the program. She said it’s had a big impact on the residents, many of whom are former teachers. 

“They interact even better with the kids than us sometimes,” she said. 

Shipp said it’s also been a benefit for the students and helps them get used to older adults and the health issues they may be facing. 

“I think it teaches them to adapt to their surroundings,” and socialize, she said. 

She hopes it will continue into the future, she said. 

“I think it’s a great thing for the kids and our residents,” she said. 

— Follow education reporter Aaron Mudd on Twitter @BGDN_edbeat or visit bgdailynews.com.