Beaumont Health: Intergenerational Reading Program

Once or twice a month, students at Dearborn Public School’s Geer Park Elementary buzz with excitement as they choose books to read to men and women old enough to be their grandparents, or even great grandparents. However, the people narrating the tales and helping sound out words aren’t relatives — they’re senior citizens from Oakwood Common, a Beaumont Health retirement community.

Initiated by Shavon Baker, Oakwood Common’s activities supervisor and Dr. Jill Chocol, executive director of Student Achievement for Dearborn Public Schools, the program pairs seniors from Oakwood Common with students at Greer Elementary for a heartwarming partnership that benefits both groups.

Building Literacy Skills

To participate in the program, students who like the idea of reading with seniors were nominated by teachers and volunteered.

Many of the seniors were surprised to discover how well the students read.

In addition to bolstering the students’ budding literacy skills, the reading program is a wonderful intergenerational opportunity for Oakwood Common residents who look forward to participating in volunteer activities.

Fun for all ages

The program is a hit for the seniors and students alike, and unites the two generations with an activity everyone enjoys.

“We have many residents who look forward to participating in volunteer activities like this in our community,” said Baker. “This is a wonderful intergenerational opportunity and a win-win for everyone.”

In addition to reading together in the media room, students enjoy taking their reading partners on a tour of the school, visiting classrooms, the gym and the music room.

In exchange, students recently took a field trip to Oakwood Common for a pizza party and campus tour with their new friends and reading partners.

“Our partnership with our community’s seniors has been a valuable and necessary experience with our kids. Every school should have a program like this,” said Lamis Srour, principal of Geer Park Elementary. “We feel these relationships will result in our youth becoming healthy, compassionate and service-minded adults.”

The partnership between residents and students will continue through the remainder of the school year.