Tuesday 30 January 2018

Parkwood House Residential and Nursing Home


Channel 4 recently produced a documentary that followed the success for both children and residents of allowing four year olds to visit an old people's home. The theory behind the documentary was that a four year old is unhindered by prejudice and an 80 year age gap is no barrier to friendship. The young children are considered to force people to live in the moment. 


Following on from this a fellow childminder arranged for us to visit Parkwood House several times a month with our minded children. We have been for two play sessions now and ,on both occasions, the staff and residents have been so welcoming. The children are able to play freely in a room where only residents who want to participate come and join us. In only two weeks the children have gained so much from the interaction whilst the smiles on the faces of the residents demonstrates the mutual enjoyment.  One two year old went home telling his parents the names of the ladies he had met and asked me if we were going to go to the house with the blue door again!



Our activities so far have included singing, pom pom throwing, reading and puzzles and playing with the inflatable hoopla game. The children have already got to know some of the names of the residents and are keen to interact with these new play mates! The biggest all round success has been singing time which gets everyone attempting some tunes!



This is an activity that we would definitely like to develop further as we feel this not only benefits the residents but meets all areas of learning for the children:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development: social interaction with both adults and their peers
Physical Development: We have done puzzles and throwing games developing fine and gross motor skills. 
Communication and Language: The children are following instructions, talking to residents and to each other. 
Literacy: Children are reading books with the residents
Numeracy: Children have been completing puzzles through to counting out the number of fish in the house fish tank. 
Understanding the World: Children are gaining an understanding of their community 
Expressive Art & Design: Children have been singing and dancing 

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