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Symposium

Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education

Empowering People of All Ages by Promoting Positive Views of Aging Among PK-12 Students

Friday, November 10, 2023
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM ET
Location: Room 105

Beliefs about aging and older adults form early in life and persist. People who hold positive views of aging rather than internalized ageism live, on average, 7.5 years longer. Communities where older adults retain meaningful engagement and are respected experience greater longevity and better social and physical well-being among people of all ages. Having positive interactions with older adults increases likelihood of pursuing careers working with older people. Promoting positive, accurate views of aging benefits individuals (of all ages) but is most effective when implemented early in life. Children, however, are rarely intentionally taught about aging and learn primarily negative stereotypes through media such as cartoons, books, and fairy tales. In this symposium, presenters will share projects aimed at disrupting the perpetuation of ageist stereotypes through intentional work with young children to promote positive views of aging. Laura Donorfio will present an aging education project developed for the Connecticut school system via an Administration on Aging grant. Next, Elizabeth Bergman will present two intergenerational case study projects involving elementary school-aged children, college students, and elders. Edward Miller will then the describe and sharing findings from an ongoing intergenerational tutoring intervention, begun during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, wherein older adults provide free, online evidence-based tutoring to bi-lingual kindergartners. Finally, Tina Newsham and Cynthia Hancock will share research on a toolkit developed for preschool-2nd grade teachers to introduce information about aging and centenarians as a way to celebrate the 100th day of school. Lisa Borrero will serve as discussant.

This is an Intergenerational Learning, Research, and Community Engagement Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

Learning Objectives:

  • describe the impact that childhood experiences have in forming views of aging, older adults, and career pathways working with older people.
  • recognize the need to include information about aging in preschool-twelfth grade education.
  • identify a variety of tools for teaching children about aging.

Presentations:

  • 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM ET
    Aging Education in the United States: Where We Are and How Did We Get Here?

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Laura K.M Donorfio, PhD, FAGHE (she/her/hers) – University of Connecticut

  • 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM ET
    Exploring New Ways to Imagine Our Future Through Intergenerational Case Study Projects in Elementary School

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Elizabeth J. Bergman, PhD, FAGHE (she/her/hers) – Ithaca College

  • 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM ET
    “I Don't Know Who Gets More Out of It”: Older Adults' Experiences With the Online Intergenerational Tutoring Program

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Edward A. Miller, PhD, MPA, FGSA (he/him/his) – University of Massachusetts Boston

  • 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM ET
    Celebrating Centenarians in Elementary Schools: Promoting Positive Views of Aging Among Young Children

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Cynthia R. Hancock, PhD (she/her/hers) – UNC Charlotte