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Presentation
Topics
The intergenerational studies field
has roots in many disciplines and covers a wide range of program and policy
development topics. The Penn State Intergenerational Program aims to provide
consultation and support on matters spanning the full breadth of the field.
The presentation topics listed below represent a preliminary listing; changes
will be made in line with requests received for assistance, the development
of new curricula materials, and the attainment of additional resources.
Presentations with an Intergenerational Emphasis:
- Connecting
the Generations During the Holidays
This presentation notes how the holidays can serve as an important
time for building family unity. Several ideas are presented on how to strengthen
intergenerational ties during the holidays or at anytime. Click
here to view on the Internet as a PowerPoint presentation. (Developed
with Mary Ann Oyler, Franklin County, PA.)
- Creating
Intergenerational Programs That Work
This is a basics/"building blocks" presentation. It introduces
participants to the interdisciplinary field of "intergenerational programming"
and highlights several basic principles for planning and implementing intergenerational
activities.
- Thinking
Intergenerationally
This is a one-hour session consisting of an exercise in which participants
are faced with a series of community problem scenarios for which they are
challenged to develop intergenerational solutions.
- An
Intergenerational Approach for Community Education and Action
This session reviews ways to bring youth and senior adults together to study
and work to improve their communities. Session participants will receive the
"Futures Festival: An Intergenerational Approach to Community Participation"
curriculum. Click
here to view on the Internet.
- Preschool
Children-Senior Adult Care Connections
This session focuses on intergenerational programs which connect child care
and adult care programs. Based on the lessons learned from three programs
implemented in Honolulu, Hawaii, key points are made about program facilitation
strategies and resultant interaction dynamics. (Draws upon footage from the
instructional video: "Preschool - Adult Day Care Intergenerational Activities:
The Facilitator's Role," produced with Jeff Wagner and David Smith, 8
minutes in length.)
- Intergenerational
Perspectives for Supporting Extension-based Programs for Children, Youth,
Families, and Communities
The extension system has a long and distinguished history of non-formal education
programs aimed at enhancing the well-being of individuals, families and communities.
This presentation highlights several ways in which an intergenerational component
can be used to enhance existing extension models. (Developed with
Mary Brintnall-Peterson, Program Specialist in Aging, University of
Wisconsin-Extension.)
- 'Bloopers'
and 'False Starts': Sharing the 'Full' Story about Intergenerational
Program Development Work
Written materials and videotape accounts of intergenerational programs tend
to emphasize the positive and downplay the difficulties. In this session,
participants explore some of the unexpected challenges that tend to be encountered
when developing and implementing intergenerational programs. Alternative strategies
and lessons learned will be considered.
- Intergenerational
Programming from a Global Perspective
This presentation focuses on intergenerational programs and practices as they
are implemented across geographic regions and cultural contexts. Similarities
and differences are noted in terms of how intergenerational initiatives are
conceived and implemented.
- Open-faced
Sandwiches: Intergenerational Strategies for Easing the Burden on the
Middle Generation
Those in their mid-life years are often overwhelmed with responsibilities
for caring for children and their older adult relatives; hence, they are sometimes
called "the sandwich generation." This presentation considers how
young and elderly dependents can engage and care for each other, thereby,
taking some of the stress off people in the middle generation. (Developied
with Vicki Rosebrook, University of Findlay.)
- Intergenerational
Studies: Time to Pay Attention to Environmental Context
This presentation explores several intersection points between environmental
design and intergenerational programming. An environmental psychology perspective
is used to address questions about how to develop and study "shared sites"
(e.g., a joint preschool-adult care facility), and how to create neighborhoods/neighborhood
settings that facilitate intergenerational communication and cooperation.
- The
Power of Resource Exchange & Coalition-Building
This session explores some of the benefits associated with collaboration and
coalition-building in the intergenerational studies field. In particular,
discussion centers on four themes: the value of information exchange, the
need to expand the knowledge base (what intergenerational initiatives work
and why), the need for broad participation in advocacy initiatives, and the
need to inform/educate the public. (Developed with input from Kevin Brabazon,
New York State Intergenerational Network, and Sheila Donahue-King, Massachussetts
Intergenerational Network.)
- Intergenerational
Options Mapping (IOM)
This session provides an introduction to a new intergenerational program planning
tool called "Intergenerational Options Mapping" (IOM). On a local
level, administrators from organizations that provide services for children,
youth, and older adults work together to identify possibilities for intergenerational
linkages based on complementary objectives and curricula. IOM is currently
being field-tested at the Foxdale Village Continuing Care Retirement Community
(State College, PA). (Developed with Nike Liu, Doctoral Candidate, Department
of Agricultural and Extension Education, Penn State.)
Presentations
with an Emphasis on Aging:
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Healthy Aging: The Other Side of the Coin
This "health awareness" program notes how many older adults are
healthy, happy, and continue to learn and grow as human beings. Suggestions
are provided regarding ways in which older adults can benefit from taking
a proactive approach to their health. Click
here to view on the Internet as a PowerPoint presentation. Download
the Handout as a Word document,
and view the References and Resources.
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Harnessing
the Skills and Energy of Senior Adults
We are in the midst of what has been described as an "age wave"
-- a period in which there is an unprecedented growth in the proportion of
older adults in the population. This presentation highlights some basic ways
of thinking about this demographic change from the standpoint of new
opportunities rather than impending disaster.
Discussion themes: "productive aging," "lifelong learning,"
"reinventing retirement," "civic involvement," and "intergenerational
interdependence."
- Views
about Aging from Different Cultures
This session uses proverbs from different parts of the world to highlight
cross-cultural differences (and similarities) in attitudes about aging
and intergenerational relations. Participants will be introduced to
the "Proverbs to Promote Understanding Across Generations and Cultures"
curriculum, developed by Patreese Ingram, Claudia Mincemoyer, and Matt
Kaplan.
- Staying
Safe
This is an assault prevention seminar that can be delivered to senior adults
or mixed-age groups. Topics include: "how to avoid becoming a victim,"
"the psychology of the criminal," and "self defense strategies."
Matt Kaplan,
Ph.D., Associate Professor
Intergenerational Programs and Aging
Penn State University
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