September 7th is Grandparents Day and starts a week of special events that commemorates the special relationship between our children at the Child Development Center and the seniors living at  Willson House and Jason Lee Manor.

The Child Development Center was founded in 1985 with the belief that intergenerational care benefits both children and seniors. Seniors present more natural familial type behaviors with the children and can serve as nurturers, mentors, historians, and storytellers. One study reported in Childhood Education showed that children in intergenerational programs achieved higher personal and social development and reading scores than children in regular programs.

At the same time, seniors benefit too. The receive the satisfaction of giving back, mentoring and sharing special gifts with the younger generation. According to Portland State University's Gerontology Department, seniors involved in inter-generational programs had better self-image, fewer sick days, and felt better about their own familial relationships.

Some of the fun things that happen at Willson House is the daily visits from "Grandmas and Grandpas" who come down to read to the children, play games and enjoy music together.

On Wednesday, September 10th starting at 3pm is the annual intergenerational Tea Party.  So much fun is had by children, residents and their families as they have special food, drink from tea cups and dress up in fancy hats.

Grandparents are very special people and all of us at Willson House honor them and work very hard each day to help them live the best life possible.  Call 503.585.6511 or visit our campus at 1625 Center St. NE in Salem to see what an intergenerational program is all about!

An annual event that both the children from Willson House Child Development Center and the seniors from Willson House and Jason Lee Manor all enjoy is the Tea Party which will take place on September 10th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.  The children range in age from 2 to 8 years old and they really look forward to wearing beautiful hats, eating special little sandwiches and drinking from real tea cups. Tables are decorated by staff members based on popular themes such as Mickey Mouse/Disneyland, Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh’s Tea Party.  Last year there were 20 children and 60 adults and we are expecting record attendance at the 2014 Tea Party.

The intergenerational program at Willson House is one of the first of its kind in Oregon and since 1985 it’s been a place for generations to learn and grow together. On a normal day, seniors drop in at the Child Development Center to visit, read books, make crafts, sing songs, or share stories with the children.  The children make daily visits to Willson House and Jason Lee to share activities with the residents.

Whether it’s a Tea Party or an impromptu activity, the residents look forward to interacting with the children.  Studies show that seniors who are exposed to intergenerational activities have more positive attitudes and memory improvements than the non-participating residents.  The sound of a child’s laughter and the unconditional love children give are just two of the many benefits the seniors at Willson House enjoy.

On September 10th at 3:00pm bring a friend and come to Willson House for a fun afternoon of tea, snacks, laughter and lots of fun!  Wearing a fancy hat to the Tea Party is optional… wanting to have fun with children is all that’s required.  Call us at 503.585.6511 for more information.

Mark your calendars to attend the 3rd Annual Intergenerational Carnival on Saturday, August 2nd. The carnival was so much fun last year for both the children at Willson House Child Development Center and the residents who live at Willson House, that it has become an annual event. This event is a thank you to our friends and families who make what we do possible.

There will be so much fun at the Carnival with a bounce house, magician, dunk tank, face painting, photo booth, petting zoo, games, and door prizes. Snack on cotton candy and sno cones before enjoying a wonderful BBQ lunch. Concessions are $2.00 ea or $1.00 and a can of food for the Marion Co. Food Bank.  For more information please call Karen at 503.363.5812.

The carnival is just one example of the intergenerational activities that take place between the Child Development Center and the residents at Willson House. Studies show that both the children and the older adults benefit so much from this type of program. The concept of inter-generational care is founded on the belief that intentionally bringing the generations together benefits both. This model of care for seniors and children was popularized in the 1990s and has been growing ever since. Our facility was founded in 1985 as the first intergenerational facility in the State of Oregon and became one of the pilot programs for this model across the country.

At Willson House Child Development Center, you will find children and seniors interacting daily. Children and seniors will be together singing songs, telling stories, making crafts or participating in annual events like our Tea Party or Carnival. Seniors also frequent our classrooms to say hello, lead projects, or serve as volunteers. No matter what the interaction may be, the young and young at heart will be learning and growing, together.  

If you love to read, here’s an opportunity to buy some books at great prices AND help the Willson House Child Development Center at the same time.  For a chance to preview hundreds of books available for both children and adults come for the special Community Preview Day from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, June 21st.

The Book Fair will run Monday, June 23rd to Friday, June 27th from 6am to 6pm.  Just come to The Child Center located at 1625 Center St. NE in Salem.  For more information call Karen at 503.585.6511.

Each year Scholastic Book Fairs®, in partnership with schools across the country, hosts more than 127,000 book-sale events that give more than 35 million students and their families’ access to thousands of affordable and educational products, helping foster a lifelong love of reading.

Willson House Child Development Center was founded with the belief that intergenerational care benefits both children and seniors. Seniors present more natural familial type behaviors with the children and can serve as nurturers, mentors, historians, and storytellers.

One study reported in Childhood Education showed that children in intergenerational programs achieved higher personal and social development and reading scores than children in regular programs.

Seniors living at Willson House interact and read to the children at the Child Development Center each week.  Help us raise money to buy more books for them to read together by coming to the Book Fair and stocking up NOW for your Christmas gift giving.  You’ll find lots of books for your own summer reading enjoyment as well.  See you this Saturday from 10-2pm and again next week at the Book Fair!

An annual event that both the children from Willson House Child Development Center and the seniors from Willson House and Jason Lee Manor all enjoy is the Tea Party which will take place on September 10th from 3:00pm to 5pm.  The children range in age from 2 to 8 years old and they really look forward to wearing beautiful hats, eating special little sandwiches and drinking from real tea cups. Tables are decorated by staff members based on popular themes such as Mickey Mouse/ Disneyland, Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh’s Tea Party.  Last year there were 20 children and 60 adults and we are expecting record attendance at the 2014 Tea Party.

The intergenerational program at Willson House is one of the first of its kind in Oregon and since 1985 it’s been a place for generations to learn and grow together. On a normal day, seniors drop in at the Child Development Center to visit, read books, make crafts, sing songs, or share stories with the children. The children make daily visits to Willson House and Jason Lee to share activities with the residents.

Whether it’s a Tea Party or an impromptu activity, the residents look forward to interacting with the children.  Studies show that seniors who are exposed to intergenerational activities have more positive attitudes and memory improvements than the non-participating residents.  The sound of a child’s laughter and the unconditional love children give are just two of the many benefits the seniors at Willson House enjoy.

On September 10th at 3:00pm bring a friend and come to Willson House for a fun afternoon of tea, snacks, laughter and lots of fun!  Wearing a fancy hat to the Tea Party is optional… wanting to have fun with children is all that’s required.  Call us at 503.585.6511 for more information.