Serena Kirby, Denmark Bulletin
Denmark’s CWA is bridging the generational gap with its Nanna’s Next Door initiative.
The intergenerational playgroup is the brainchild of local mum Megan Sutton who believes that the Denmark CWA is the only branch offering this type of program.
Megan, who has a one-year-old baby daughter, said inspiration for the playgroup had come from many sources including the popular television program, Old People’s Home For 4-year-olds.
“I lost my wonderful grandmother last year and it really reminded me of the important role grandparents play,” Megan said.
“My daughter Pearl is lucky as she has grandparents but I know so many people my age with young kids who don’t have family here.
“There’s also heaps of activities and playgroups for preschoolers but not that much for mums with babies.
“On the flipside, there’s a lot of older ladies who don’t have grandkids living in town so this seemed like a great way to achieve several things as well as connecting newcomers to long-time, older locals.”
Megan said that having a safe, open space where the different age groups could interact created an excellent opportunity to build friendships.
It’s also known among early childhood experts that babies and young children gain emotional benefit from being introduced to friendly, smiling faces.
Positive and respectful engagement with others also enhances a child’s social skills and helps teach children how to form strong bonds and friendships with others.
With more mothers and babies coming along to the playgroup each month, Megan said she’s ‘very, very keen to see more older ladies dropping in’.
“We love hearing their stories, hearing about their own families or what they used to do before they retired,” she said.
“Some of these women may not have held a baby in decades and there’s certainly something special that happens when they hold a baby.”
Nanna’s Next Door welcomes seniors and toddlers aged 0-4 on the second Wednesday of each month from 10am-noon at the CWA Hall in Mitchell Street.
The next playgroup is Wednesday, December 11.
See all the pictures in the issue.
This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 21 November 2024.
