Childhood Reflections: How Kids Echo Your Younger Self
Dementia can be compared to a bookshelf where your most recent memories are placed at the top, and occasionally, these memories might slip away.
Katie, who studies at Riverdale Primary School close to Lisburn, has been receiving instruction from some exceptionally unique educators.
Together with fellow students at the school, the 11-year-old has been gaining knowledge about dementia from elderly individuals who live with the condition.
The students from Riverdale have been interacting with residents of St Paul’s Court — a supported living facility managed by Praxis Care for individuals with mild dementia.
The pensioners from the home have also visited the primary school.
SANGGRALOKANews accompanied Katie and other Riverdale students when they revisited St Paul’s Court.
During their time there, the students learned about street games such as marbles and hopscotch that were enjoyed by previous generations during their childhood.
They have likewise received instruction on what dementia entails and how it feels to experience living with it.
What is dementia?
The NHS characterizes dementia as a condition marked by a continuous deterioration in brain function.
Various factors can lead to dementia, and multiple forms of it exist.
However, certain typical signs might involve memory lapses, challenges with speech, or problems performing routine tasks.
Consequently, individuals suffering from dementia might find social settings challenging and could become less interested in engaging socially.
The symptoms may intensify with time.
All the inhabitants of St Paul’s Court suffer from mild dementia or cognitive impairment.
What did the students learn regarding dementia?
“Memory loss and the disease are just parts of it; they affect everyday life,” Katie explained.
Dementia is akin to a bookshelf where your most recent memories are placed at the top, and occasionally, these memories can slip away.
However, students and locals have connected through reminiscences of their youth, despite having quite varied experiences.
Ten-year-old Grace mentioned that they have been talking about what their elementary school experience was like and learning more about each other — including their favorite foods and colors.
The children have learned about life with dementia through their friendships.
“When it impacts you, you usually don’t forget much from your childhood, but occasionally you might overlook things you’ve recently done,” explained Kirsten, who is also 11 years old.
Grace mentioned that she had learned how to assist individuals with dementia and emphasized the importance of being patient.
She mentioned, ‘They might just require a little extra time to recall things.’
As per Riverdale’s vice-principal Laura Totton, studying dementia means understanding both life and the nearby neighborhood.
“What impacts children might face in the future alongside their family members, underscores the importance of our educational efforts and inviting the broader community to observe our work at school,” she stated.
It’s crucial for children to grasp that these residents were once their age too, allowing them to connect with them better.
What are the locals’ sentiments regarding their connection with the main elementary school students?
Both Maisie and Sadie live at St Paul’s Court.
They have loved interacting with the children and looking back on their own youthful days.
Maisie mentioned her passion for music and singing, which she decided to pursue along with an interest in netball.
She has become friends with several of the students.
She mentioned, ‘I had about three or four of them perched on the chair next to me, and it felt wonderful.’
The folks are wonderful, and so are the children.
Sadie mentioned that it elevates your spirits.
You’re reflecting on how you once were and everything associated with that.
I am excited about their arrival.
However, Sadie confessed that participating in boccia — a type of bowling — with the kids had revealed her competitive nature.
“I may not be great at them yet, but I’m improving gradually,” she chuckled.
A curse word slips out sometimes!
What methods can be used to educate young children about dementia?
Riverdale Primary welcomed Tracy Smyth from Praxis Care to educate students about dementia prior to their connection with residents at St Paul’s Court.
She mentioned that instructing the students required a method that was both delicate and suitable for their age.
Mrs. Smyth employed a method from the Alzheimer’s Society that instructed the children on becoming “Dementia Friends.”
“A sickness of the mind just like any other ailment,” she stated.
Breaking it down into such terms and understanding its impact on someone, the children truly absorbed all the information.
I think it helps alleviate that anxiety and nearly fearful feeling some children experience—since we tend to be afraid of things we’re unfamiliar with.
For her, there is both personal and professional incentive.
She mentioned, ‘My grandma had dementia, and being a young kid, I didn’t grasp why I saw her changing. She was someone whom I simply adored,’
As a child, the sole conclusion I could reach was that it must have been my fault, that I had somehow erred.
I promised that no child would hold onto that misunderstanding or believe such about their grandparents.
- ‘Even with dementia, you can still enjoy yourself.’
- I desire for global conversations around dementia.
- Individuals affected by dementia enjoy a tram excursion.