Intergenerational learning: collaborations to develop civic literacy in young children in Irish primary school

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the potential of intergenerational learning collaborations to develop civic literacy in young children in Irish primary school. The study, measured against a control group, used a mixed-methods embedded design. Quantitative results confirmed that, across a range of curriculum-related collaborations, student self-reported civic literacy ratings, substantiated by teacher checklists, showed significant improvement (p ≤ 0.01) in civic literacy scores over an academic year. Qualitative findings explained how intergenerational learning collaborations contributed to desired outcomes for civic literacy in young children.

KEYWORDS:

• Intergenerational programs
• civic literacy
• social learning