World Day of Grandparents and Elderly

Get to know where you came from by interviewing your grandparents or grandparent-like figures by asking them the questions from activity sheet #1. 

Here are some helpful tips when interviewing:

1.To get the most from your family history session, be as prepared as possible.

2. Inform the person of the purpose of the interview, who will see it, and how it will be used. 

3.It’s a good idea to use a voice or video recorder either on your phone, computer or tablet). That way it also becomes a keepsake for the family. 

4.Photos, mementos, or other visual aids are great memory joggers. Ask your person(s) to prepare some in advance.

5. Listen attentively and gently; ask questions of clarification (please do not try to force them to talk about something they are uncomfortable discussing). 

6.   HAVE FUN!!!!!   This is a great way to get to know them and know where you came from.

Make a Family Tree

Have your grandparents or parents can help you fill in a family tree and tell you about people in your family who lived a long, long time ago. Have some fun doing a family tree. I wonder if you will have as many people as Jesus did. We would love to share pictures of you and your grandparents with your family tree on our social media pages. So send those pictures to jjarvis@dol.ca .

Who doesn’t like a good game of cards? Card games like UNO, Old Maid or Go Fish, crazy eights, are great for any age!

Puzzles are great because they challenge the mind and involve teamwork from you and the grandparents!

Board games like sorry, monopoly, pictionary, or any ask question games can be so much fun!

Memories are very important in our lives because they allow us to grow and learn to be a better person. Our memories are what we are, what makes us make the decisions we make, act as we act and love as we love. They help shape who we are; but is it possible to remember everything? The short answer is no. But that is ok because there are ways to remember the stories that shaped us and the relationships in our life. Every week in church we hear the stories of Jesus and his ancestors. We do this so we “remember” and keep them and the lessons to learn alive. You can learn (and probably already have) so much from your grandparents/ grandparent-like people in your life. One way you can always remember them, their stories and life lessons are to write them down!

SO here is what you can do:

• Get an old coffee can or jar and decorate it with pictures or stickers (get creative!)
• Cut up strips of papers
• Start writing down memories or stories that your grandparents have told you (hint: use the interview from Sunday)

Whether it’s a bedtime story or a chapter of a favorite book, reading is a great way to instill the importance of reading and a great way to spend time together.

Movies are also a great way to pass time and relax! Pick a favorite movie to share and enjoy a healthy snack.  Great way to find out what movies your grandparents like growing up.

Who knew Grandma or Grandpa was an artist? Drawings or crafts made from around the house items, are a great keepsake for both the grandchild and grandparent(s).

Want to see Grandma and Grandpa dance? Get some glow sticks, your alexa and ask them their favorite song growing up and throw it on for a little dance party.

Keep the party going by sharing your favorite songs and dance moves (maybe even make a tik tok with them!)

Both of you have skills and hobbies that the other may enjoy. That is why it is important to teach each other something new that they can pass down as new generations come to pass. Examples: sewing, gardening,cooking, woodcarving, musical instruments, video games, how to use technology…the sky’s the limit.