It is a place where the unbridled joy and enthusiasm of youth meets the wisdom and kindness of experience.
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At St Andrews Village in Hughes on Wednesday, about 20 families and their children, some only a few months old, spent time in the company of the aged-care facility's residents.
It might seem like an unlikely pairing, but for more than an hour each week this group is in perfect harmony, with plenty of smiles and laughter.
And the groups have received a new wave of attention after an ABC television documentary - Old People's Home for 4-Year-Olds - showed how groups could dramatically improve the lives of older Australians.
I think it's nice to come here and spend a couple of hours and see everyone's faces light up, the kids and the elderly.
- Mum Sarah Newman
Parents said they enjoyed seeing both generations enjoying each other's company and it was a helpful learning experience for the children's learning development.
For only children, the group was especially important, exposing them to a range of behaviour in a stimulating environment, parents said.
Sarah Newman, whose five-month-old daughter, Florence, was happily in the arms of village resident Valerie Apps, said there was a positive buzz about the group.
"I think it's nice to come here and spend a couple of hours and see everyone's faces light up, the kids and the elderly. It's really nice, you get a lot out of it," she said.
Ms Newman said her family was in Queensland and, with no grandparents around, it was a chance for Florence to spend time with members of an older generation.
"And it's a lot of fun," she said.
Aged-care workers who help facilitate the group said they could see how it brightened up the residents, breaking them out of daily habits into something joyous.
ACT Playgroups program manager Carley Jones said there had been an increase in interest in intergenerational playgroups since the ABC documentary had aired.
There was now a waiting list for the eight groups which are run in the ACT with strong support from aged care facilities, she said.
Ms Jones said ACT Playgroups was at capacity for running the popular groups and would prefer to set up new groups properly rather than rushing to establish more.
Studies have shown residents generally accept playgroups and the programs have outcomes for elderly residents as well as children, with the groups possibly providing meaningful engagement for people with dementia.
with Savannah Van Geelen