A morning at Jill’s House starts out like any other preschool—full of energy, giggles, and playtime. But when it comes to learning, this Bloomington preschool does things a little differently.
Children “learn by experience” from senior citizens living with dementia. The seniors reside right upstairs from the preschool in a place called “the memory care wing.”
“It makes me feel happy that I can spend time with the residents,” says 4-year-old Jill’s House preschooler, Elsa Chaney.
Jill’s House is one of the few inter-generational preschools in the country. The residents and children get together everyday to sing songs, tell stories, and do arts and crafts.
Preschooler and resident participate in arts and crafts together.
“I’m so proud to be a part of something that is helping those residents be happier in their lives, and it’s helping our kids learn how to be better people,” says Jill’s House Preschool Director Elizabeth Stelle.
Tolerance, empathy, and understanding of disabilities are just a few of the key values that Stelle believes this intergenerational program is instilling in the preschoolers.
And as for the residents, the opportunity to spend time with energetic children on a daily basis means always having something to look forward to.
Stelle explains people with dementia often face depression as well. The children help the residents to “be present in the moment.”
Past and future generations working together at Jill’s House also breaks down barriers.
“There is definitely this sense of agism in our society today. Getting to know and understand elder generations is important so that they’re not forgotten, and that works best if you can start learning that from a young age,” says Stelle.”
For Stelle and the staff at Jill’s House, opening a preschool was not just a dream. It was a necessity due to the lack of childcare options in the Bloomington community.
Jill’s House opened the doors to their preschool in September 2017 with Stelle as the only teacher and just eight students.
But after the YMCA day care closed their doors in December that same year, Jill’s House Preschool grew to eight employees and thirty students just weeks later in January.
The rapid growth has allowed this unique intergenerational program to also rapidly succeed.
“It’s magic. It’s the relationship. It’s the love. Like, they truly love each other here,” shares Stelle.
For more information about Jill’s House Inter-generational Preschool or their memory care wing, click here.
