ABSTRACT
This chapter examines children's perceptions of ageing and how intergenerational practice leads to sustainable communities embracing social inclusion and citizenship. Perceptions of ageing and stereotyping of older adults begin during early childhood and continue to be shaped during the school years. Due to improvements in healthcare the demographics of the population is ever changing with many people living longer. Intergenerational programmes (IP) are diverse and can appear in varied forms, building on and integrating traditional and modern life. Travelling around the UK one finds a range of buildings that provide daycare for either children or the elderly. Physiological needs both the young and old become accustomed to eating at a particular time of the day and their preferences for particular foods become heightened. Experts have long discussed the essential role older adults can play in providing a strong beginning for young children, and the important part children can play in generating 'new life' into the older generation.
