Providers, teachers and parents gathered at Pine Pals on Wednesday to share their child care experiences and learn more about recent legislative changes.
Two preschool classes at the Pine Pals Intergenerational Learning Child Care and Preschool in Bemidji spent about 30 minutes entertaining the older residents at GoldPine fondly referred to as “grandfriends” with music and dancing as part of Pine Pals second anniversary celebration this week.
Children from the Pine Pals Intergenerational Learning Child Care and Preschool put some smiles on faces last week when they decorated trees for the holidays outside the adjacent GoldPine Home.
A new child care center has opened adjacent to GoldPine Home in Bemidji, allowing for intergenerational activities. 7:30 am, Dec. 19, 2020 ×
From left: Mohid Kaes, Elena Owens and Violet Hart play “Poppin Hoppies” on Monday, Dec. 14, at Pine Pals in Bemidji. (Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer)
BEMIDJI For years, intergenerational activities have been common at GoldPine Home in Bemidji. Young people from the community have danced, sung and mingled with the home’s elderly residents.
Now, with the opening of the 15,000-square-foot Pine Pals child care center, the kids are right next door. The center opened on Nov. 30 with 26 children enrolled, and during that first week the kids went outside to visit their “grandfriends” through the windows at GoldPine, waving and showing off their artwork.