Generations in dialogue: Seniors and children conquer the digital world

Generations in dialogue: Seniors and children conquer the digital world

A new project is starting at the St. Michael Center retirement home in Weiden. It is entitled “Kommunal.Digital.Genial”. The aim is to bring seniors and children together. The initiative begins with the subtitle “Connecting generations: Seniors and children discover the digital world together with Antolin”.

Project start and cooperation

The project is organized by the senior citizens' center of the city of Weiden. Cooperation partners are the Maria Seltmann House, the Hans Sauer Elementary School and the St. Michael Center. Ten children from the 3rd grade of the Hans Sauer primary school visit the residents of the nursing home. They bring books and tablets.

Interactive learning opportunities

The main goal of the project is to make it easier for seniors to access the digital world. At the same time, the children's reading skills are promoted. Students in grade 3c at Rothenstadt elementary school regularly visit the retirement home. They read books together and use digital media.

The children take on the role of “digital mentors”. They explain to the seniors the basics of the app and how a tablet works. After reading, everyone answers quiz questions together that are available digitally on Antolin. This promotes exchange between generations. The children also expand their social skills by interacting respectfully with older people.

Expansion of the project

The project is to be gradually expanded to other retirement homes in the region. “Kommunal.Digital.Genial” was launched by the Federal Association of Senior Citizens' Organizations and the Federal Ministry for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.

Further information about the project can be found on the website www.digitalpakt-alter.de.