How sharing stories can bring generations closer together

Spilling your true stories can overcome any age gap and create life-changing closeness across generations. And experts say Australia’s ageing population is a profound opportunity to introduce “grandfriends” into childcare and education settings for multi-gen storytelling.

Griffith University Emeritus Professor Anneke Fitzgerald says bodies and brains of all ages benefit when young and old come together and swap stories. She points to the Australian Institute for Intergenerational Practice’s Bridging Ages life stories project, which shows “it may delay some cognitive and physical decline” in older people, while younger children “develop a level of empathy that is very, very evident”.

Her team’s research suggests that when three- to five-year-olds mix with older people, it may reduce their later delinquency as teens.

One-on-one time with an album or book seems to work best.

“That’s the highest level of engagement you can have: sitting with a child on your lap reading a book with them,” she says.

One of Patricia and Riley Lee’s five grandchildren, Oskar Lee, 11, says his grandparents “use photos to describe the stories”, like their picture board with his mum holding a puppy and his aunt dressed as an astronaut.

Funny, strange and suspenseful stories often succeed more than morality tales, as when Oskar’s country-raised grandma was once followed home from school. Footsteps and eerie moaning close behind her turned out to be a snuffling pig – but the tale’s delicious mix of terror and trotters make it a family favourite.

To help foster that togetherness through telling stories:

Place your story in history by including world events;

Use one-on-one time like driving lessons for trading stories;

Share what you like and discover what you have in common;

Use aids like books, photos and keepsakes;

Remember kids love anything funny, gross or scary.

The Kids News 2022 Short Story Competition is accepting entries until Friday, June 24. For more information and to enter, head to kidsnews.com.au