Isolation isn’t good at any age. Some months before the world was forced into isolation due to the pandemic, Sesame Workshop Alumni Network (SWAN) met in 2019 to brainstorm solutions to a decrease in emotional well-being and an increasing sense of isolation and despair. This would evolve into 3G, a three generational mentorship system where older adults mentor high school and college students, who in turn mentor the preschoolers; all guided by short Sesame Street video clips chosen to spark meaningful discussions.
The seniors benefit by sharing their knowledge, building new connections, and seeing new perspectives from the other age groups. The teens gain confidence through the encouragement of their elders and develop leadership skills. Preschoolers get the opportunity to build friendships and trust with someone older and learn communications skills.
As St. Nicks Alliance works with various age groups they were approached by United Neighborhood Houses who offered the opportunity to try 3G. On March 13, five seniors met with five teens in the dining room of Swinging Sixties Older Adult Center. The following Thursday preschoolers joined in and all three age groups have met on Thursdays from 4 p.m.–5 p.m. through May 2.
In the first twenty minutes, seniors and teens watch a Sesame Street video clip and discuss what they learned. The next twenty minutes the teens and preschoolers watch the same video and discuss it. Then the teens and seniors meet in the final twenty minutes to discuss that day’s session.
The Greenline 