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A Visit With Our Grand Pals - 4 hour class

Another wonderful morning with our friends at “Grand Pals” senior centre (Courtyard Gardens Retirement Residence).  After our arrival, we all gathered in a cozy space at Grand Pals. The fireplace was running and soft music was already playing in the background! This truly set the atmosphere for a rainy morning together. Our friends at Grand pals had planned an activity to make “fruit loop” bracelets! Each preschooler gleamed with excitement when the sweet smell of fruit loops were poured into their plates. Although very tempting to eat, the little children showed great control and worked hard on putting together their bracelets. 


 
 

There were some great interactions between the preschool children and the seniors: working together to string the fruit loops, problem solving as to how many could fit on a pipe cleaner, focus and eye hand coordination, and just simple joy and smiles exchanged amongst each other! The activity was so fun that most children and seniors made two bracelets. 

 
 



After making the fruit loop bracelets, the children had a little singing performance with musical sticks. “Tap your sticks in the air, with a 1 2 3...” Being in a smaller room, the sound of the music and sticks tapping was so vibrant and captured the attention of everyone in the room (even those working and resting down the hall). Without a doubt, that catchy song was stuck in our heads on the bus ride back to preschool. 

To end the lovely morning together, our friends at Grand Pals offered us some Oreo cookies and juice as a treat. From what we learned, the Oreo cookies was surely a treat for the seniors also!
We wished our visit to Grand Pals was longer, but our quality time spent together was more than delightful. Some children (and seniors) appeared a bit "shy" initially, but you can witness such a quick connection soon after. The smiles and laughter in the warm room was infectious and we look forward to our next visit during the Holiday season!

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