Once upon a time, in a special place...
Where Generations Connect, Learn, and Grow
Imagine your child having a group of loving grandfriends who live next door and gather together weekly to visit, teach and play. Intergenerational Learning Center®, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, unites children ages 6 weeks through pre-K with seniors from The Commons on Marice, the senior living community next door. This unique program provides a nurturing and inspiring environment where children and seniors come together to share wisdom, create lasting memories, and build lifelong friendships.
At Intergenerational Learning Center, we believe that every child deserves a place to feel loved, supported, and inspired. We are more than just a child care and preschool – we are a community where children and seniors come together to enrich each other’s lives.
Approach to learning
At Intergenerational Learning Center, we have crafted a dynamic approach to early childhood education that prioritizes the individual needs of each child. Our approach allows our teachers to harness a variety of learning styles, including hands-on nature and play-based approaches, tailored to the specific developmental requirements of each age group.
We believe in a nurturing learning experience that accommodates diverse learning styles, creating an engaging and enriching educational journey for all of our young learners.
Feeding our bodies & minds
All meals and snacks are included, and we prioritize the health and nutrition of your child. We believe that the act of dining together, even at a young age, is an essential social experience that can nurture positive relationships. We carefully curate a menu for snack and meal times that cater to your child’s dietary needs.
Our learning kitchen provides children the opportunity to experiment and then enjoy their creations. Weekly, they complete a cooking project for or with their classroom friends.
For infant feeding, parents or guardians are responsible for providing bottles of pre-mixed formula or breastmilk. Learn more about bottle requirements here.
Beyond the classroom
Exploring movement can help children with balance, coordination, and motor development as well as teach them important concepts like teamwork, self-confidence and respect. Soccer Shots, for ages 2-8, introduces your child to the fundamentals of soccer. Dancercise Kids, for pre-K and up, is a fitness, dance, movement and education program offering great classes like ballet, tap, jazz, tumbling, creative dance, and sign language.
Our amazing grandfriends
A unique feature of our curriculum is the Ages Entwined® program, which connects children and seniors through music, storytelling, arts, and other activities. These intergenerational interactions foster meaningful relationships and mutual learning. Held throughout the week, the program offers children the chance to bond with their “grandfriends” at The Commons on Marice. Each activity is designed to promote:
- Connection between generations
- Generational wisdom
- One-on-one and group interactions
- A welcoming environment
These interactions help children develop social skills, empathy, and respect for others, while providing seniors with a sense of purpose and community.
A matter of the heart
Intergenerational Living & Health Care
A Charitable Organization Enhancing the Lives of Seniors and Children
Intergenerational Living & Health Care, Inc. (ILHC) is a 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(2) nonprofit organization pioneering interactive programs for children and seniors. Based in Minneapolis, the foundation owns senior living communities and an early childhood center where it fulfills on carrying out the mission of improving the quality of life for children and older adults.
- For seniors, we provide housing, health care, programming, services, and interactions between the generations
- For youth, we enhance learning opportunities and responsible choices by educating the whole child, including interactions with seniors
- For the community, we promote understanding and support between the generations
The Goodman Group
Intergenerational Learning Center was established in 1999 and continues to be managed by The Goodman Group, a leader in residential, senior living and health care communities, and commercial properties. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and established in 1965, The Goodman Group is committed to its mission: “To enrich the quality of life by inspiring greater well-being in every individual.”
