Reading Grandmas and Grandpas

The Reading Grandmas and Grandpas program has been developed in two projects at the Niilo Mäki Institute: Supporting Reading Fluency (years 2012-2014) and Reading and Linguistic Skills (years 2015-2017). Both projects included research and several theses were carried out. According to previous studies, volunteering has many positive impacts on life. Being involved in volunteering increases seniors’ feelings of self-efficacy and purposefulness. As volunteering is literally voluntary based, everyone may choose what kind of activity they are willing to participate in, building on one’s own interests. In other words, volunteering allows one to feel fulfilled in a pleasing way.There have been positive research findings made on the meaning of the Reading Grandmas and Grandpas program for its volunteers. For instance, the friendships made in the project and the time spent with the children are perceived to increase the volunteers’ well-being. Peer group meetings give an excellent chance for networking, sharing experiences, and spending time together with the other volunteers. Reading Grandmas and Grandpas form a group, which is rewarding to belong to. However, working with children is one of the biggest reasons for one to take part in the program. Many volunteers tell that the children are the reason the program is so pleasing and interesting in the first place. Working as a Reading Grandma or Grandpa allows different generations to interact and the volunteers to work as supportive and present adults for the children taking part in the program.Besides experiencing a community and feeling joy for being with children, volunteering is stated to be a pleasant activity and to bring a nice rhythm to one’s everyday life. According to the volunteers, being part of the program has increased their well-being by higher engagement and activity as well as feeling they are doing something with a purpose. The work as a Reading Grandma or Grandpa is described as a valuable and beneficial task, which is rewarding and relatively easy for the volunteer, and benefits others significantly. The volunteers are also more satisfied about themselves when they feel they are able to help. The program is also perceived as beneficial for the Finnish society. Besides, the Reading Grandmas and Grandpas get to know how schooling is today and children’s everyday life when taking part in the program.REFERENCES:Aho, Miia, Saranpää, Lotta & Väljä, Katja 2014: ”Niin pieni kädenojennus ja tuo kuitenki iloa ittelle”. Vapaaehtoistoiminnan merkitys ikäihmisten hyvinvoinnille. Bachelor’s thesis. University of Jyväskylä: Department of Psychology.Lehtonen, Heidi 2014: Vertaisryhmätapaamisten merkitys ikäihmisten vapaaehtoistoiminnassa. Bacherlor’s thesis. University of Jyväskylä: Department of Psychology.Oraluoma, E., Kinnunen, I., Salmi, P., Pöyliö, H. & Aro, M. 2014: Lukumummi ja -vaari -toiminta lukemisen tukena koulussa. In NMI-Bulletin 24 (4), s. 59–71.

Guess the Word –word explanation game is a fun game that is themed by leisure time activities and fun everyday life coincidences of Reading Grandmas and Grandpas. Our team wanted firstly to support vocabulary learning, and secondly to encourage children to use Finnish language. In this game, words are explained in turns. The game contains 45 picture cards and 45 word cards. The cards were created based on a questionnaire made for the Reading Grandmas and Grandpas. The words are explained in different ways, and players get points both from explaining the words and making the right guesses. But why did we make a card game? A good game is on the other hand challenging, and a fun way to learn on the other. One may test his or her limits safely while playing. In addition, playing has more studied benefits: - One must use the less active parts of the brain while playing, which enhances the use of the brain.- Games and motivation have a connection and games increase one’s study motivation. - Games may increase focus and bring joy to learning. - Games make independent learning without a teacher possible. - Doing and trying by yourself are effective ways to learn. - Learning games are suitable for teaching other than only routine skills.Many situations connected to playing are also good for practicing linguistic skills. These kinds of situations are diverse interaction situations and the need to express things, emotions and will. Guess the Word –word explaining game sets a good environment to learn. Would you like to have this game? Please contact moi@lukumummit.fi to get the game in a pdf-format.You may also order the game in colors, delivered in its box, from the web store of Niilo Mäki institute from here: http://kauppa.nmi.fi

Leena Hänninen, 75, is an active person in terms of voluntary work. During her working years, Hänninen was a founder and leader of a voluntary work center in Jyväskylä. After retirement, she has not had too many moments without activities. “Through volunteer work I have had a soft landing to retirement”, Leena describes. As working as the president of a Finnish pensioner organization, Hänninen knows that especially men could be encouraged more to participate in volunteering when they are about to retire. “We all know, that there are more seniors that are women in the first place, and that men will not attend our knitting clubs”, Leena laughs.“I think there could be more men attending the Reading Grandmas and Grandpas”, Leena suggests. Leena herself started within the project in the spring of 2016. “This program, targeted for immigrant students, is absolutely wonderful. I have grandchildren that are the same age with the students I read with. Unfortunately my grandchildren live further away, so this activity helps with my longing. The students are so open and sweet.” Leena memorizes the childhood period of her own children and as evening activities often took place due to work, the responsibility for reading bed time stories was left for Leena’s husband. “This reading activity is definitely for men also. The story telling of grandpas is something that children especially like.” But how may Leena still be so active, even though she is retired? Leena herself answers with laughter: “I guess it’s in the genes! I think once you start you cannot stop.” Leena refreshes herself by attending senior dances and by knitting in a group. Hänninen encourages all at her age: “Dare to try and you will find your place in the field of volunteering!”