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Our Lexham Park friends

BestStart Katikati enjoys a special bond with one of our local retirement villages, Lexham Park. Throughout the year we take field trips to visit the elderly and they take turns to coming to visit our childcare centre. This is something that the children get excited about and look forward to.

The elderly cherish spending quality time with the children, and the bond between the two groups can be very beneficial. The children are learning about the normal aging process, how to accept people with disabilities, and how to receive and give unconditional love and attention. Visits with the elderly can also help reduce their fear of older adults. We can see that the elderly enjoy the spirit and joy that children bring to their day and that it gives them a renewed sense of self-worth. They love to plan activities for the children and delight in watching the children complete them. They even join in when the children sing songs to them.

This bond between the young and old is something we value. It supports connections with the community and promotes maanakitanga- respect. The attached photos were captured during a field trip to the retirement village and a visit from them to us. They show the excitement and enjoyment that everyone experiences.