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Duncan children lighten up halls of nursing home

The Lawton Constitution - 9/18/2017

DUNCAN - Children laugh and skip their way through the dining hall at Elk Crossing Nursing and Rehabilitation in Duncan, several smiling and waving to the elderly men and women gathered there to chat or to have a mid-morning snack.

It isn't any holiday or special occasion that's brought the youngsters for a visit; it's just a Friday. And what's more, the boys and girls in Chasity Payne's pre-school class will be back again on Monday, and every other school day to come.

That's because their classroom is just a hop, skip and a jump away from the dining hall, just on the other side of the nursing and rehabilitation facility's breezy, high-ceilinged central lobby.

Credit owner Jeff Gregston with the idea of making a pre-school - complete with outdoor playground - part of the atmosphere enjoyed by Elk Crossing's residents. He knew even when the facility was being planned a few years ago that he wanted it to have a unique feel. The central lobby also features a barber shop with an oldstyle striped pole out front, and street lamps to give it the look of a neighborhood.

It's the pre-K center, though, that really makes Elk Crossing different than most.

"This is the only one we know of in Southwest Oklahoma," said Merry Stone, assistant superintendent at Duncan Public Schools.

Stone said five years ago Gregston brought the idea of making children's learning and play part of the day-to-day life at Elk Crossing to former Superintendent Sherry Labyer. After planning out some policies and logistics, the local school

board agreed to the plan and the first batch of kids christened the classroom at the facility this year.

Elderly residents don't just get to enjoy watching the kids romping on the playground or trooping through the dining facility; several also have volunteered to take part in things like reading to kids or helping them to create art. Payne said that on Sept. 26 - Johnny Appleseed's birthday - some Elk Crossing residents will get to help the children make and sample applesauce.

"Being here is going to be a real fun experience," said Payne, who has been teaching for eight years.

Stone said the atmosphere at Elk Crossing should be good for both the children and their elderly neighbors. Gregston, who offered an Elk Crossing update recently to members and supporters of the Duncan Chamber of Commerce, said "there's been lots of smiles on both sides."

Advantages of "intergenerational learning" have been well-documented. Researchers have reported that children need involved, caring older adults in their lives to fully develop emotionally and socially. Interaction with older people gives children a "better sense of who they are and where they've come from," according to The Legacy Project. Frequent contact with elderly friends also can help kids to develop self-esteem, selfconfidence and social skills, including an ability to withstand peer pressure. Youngsters might also get a better sense of the relevance of what they learn in school and how it will be important in their future.

As for older people, regular interaction with children can help them to stay physically and emotionally healthy and enjoy greater life satisfaction, the Legacy Project reports.

Jessica Slater has been a witness to how the pre-K at Elk Crossing can benefit both old and young. She is employed there, but she also has a daughter, Hadley, who goes to school there. She said she especially likes the idea of her young daughter and her friends learning to be comfortable with and friendly toward older people.

"It helps them to show compassion toward the elderly and to be around them without feeling fear that kids might have if they've never been around older people," she said.

Stone said 20 children are attending the pre-K this year at Elk Crossing, but their classroom is big enough to handle more.

"We actually have room to double that, so we hope to grow that to 40 next year," she said.

Elk Crossing paid for the classroom space and the playground. Things like tables and chairs were furnished by the school district, and the district brings in food for the youngsters' lunches.

The kids bring their own charisma, which may very well have a "trickle-up" effect on residents.

"Having them here brings a lot of energy into the building," Stone said.

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