“I Wish We Could Get Together”: Exploring Intergenerational Play Across a Distance via a ‘Magic Box’

ABSTRACT

It is well documented that ongoing social connection between the young and the elderly increase the sense of well-being of both parties. However it may be difficult to maintain and cultivate intergenerational relationships in which physical, temporal, or social distances exist between grandparents and their grandchildren. This paper outlines findings from an ethnographic research study which explores the nature of intergenerational play and interaction across a distance. Our aim is to understand playful engagement as a means for designing technologies that will support intergenerational play across a distance.

The paper highlights examples of data produced by a small number of Australian families using cultural probes. This data originates from personal scrapbooks, the daily exchange of special items via a ‘Magic Box’ and from interviews with participants. The scrapbooks and ‘magic box’ methods, in particular, encouraged the exchange of a range of thought-provoking and non-traditional media. Much of this media was exchanged with a view to encouraging play or playful activity; however there were serious issues of family history, culture, and storytelling which underlay the selection of particular items. Items exchanged between distributed households included feathers, dolls, toys, food and letters. While all the exchanges were in some way indicative of the special relationships which existed amongst these diverse families, there are a number of themes which arise across the families.

The paper illustrates that intergenerational play and communication are intrinsically intertwined with a range of themes including family history, culture, and storytelling; and familial ideas of magic, science, and fun. It is anticipated that the next phase of the research will produce suggestions for technological prototypes which might help to further support intergenerational exchanges across a distance.

KEYWORDS:

• Intergenerational play
• playful interaction
• children
• elderly

The authors would like to thank Grandparents Victoria, and all the families who generously participated in the study. We also acknowledge the support of the Smart Internet Technology CRC (www.smartinternet.com.au).

This project has been approved by the university's human research ethics committee. All participants names used in this paper are pseudonyms. All photographs have been released for publication by participants.

Notes

Relationships Australia Victoria. (2005). Mighty Grandparents and Mighty Me.