BCAITC is pleased to present Planting Intergenerational Promises! This new resource for the organization’s Planting a Promise program will provide educational opportunities for students to build relationships with seniors through the growing and sharing of flowers.

Planting Intergenerational Promises engages K-7 students and seniors with tulip and daffodil activities. The resource extends agriculture learning in the classroom and facilitates the exploration of intergenerational relationships; thus deepening the connection between school and community.

Planting Intergenerational Promises helps students develop relationships with seniors in their local communities through: 

• Planting (tulip and daffodil bulbs)
• Performing (poetry, theatre, and music inspired by flowers)
• Participating (collaborative flower-theme art projects and conversation)
• Presenting gifts (blooms or bloom inspired mementos)

11,250 students in 450 classrooms in BC will participate in this school year’s Planting a Promise program. BC students are collectively planting 13,500 yellow daffodil bulbs and 22,500 red tulip bulbs in their schoolyards this fall. This winter, students will observe the dormant and early sprouting stages of the flowers’ growth. In the spring, students and the community will enjoy beautiful red and yellow flowers blooming. Through the 8-month program, students will utilize Planting Intergenerational Promises and other BCAITC educational activities to expand and share their knowledge of agriculture.

Pat Tonn, BCAITC Executive Director said, “Everyone loves flowers! Students and seniors can bond over this shared connection. Students can help seniors see the world through a child’s eyes. In turn, seniors can pass along gardening knowledge, plant information, and cultural traditions to younger generations. This resource will help build bridges between students and seniors across the province.”

Holly Johnson, BCAITC Education Specialist, said, “We’re excited about this new resource! It has fun Arts Education, English Language Arts, and Physical and Health Education activities for the young and young-at-heart to enjoy. These activities build mental and physical wellness – and promote healthy living – for all ages.”

Planting Intergenerational Promises is funded by: Service Canada, New Horizons for Seniors Program, the Dutch Liberation 2020 Canadian Society, and BCAITC.

Planting a Promise is supported by: Alpine Garden Club of BC, Dutch Liberation 2020 Canadian Society, Van Noorts Bulbs with, Art Knapp - Courtenay, Buckerfields - Abbotsford, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Saanich, Salmon Arm, W. Kelowna, Dykhof Nurseries & Florist, GardenWorks - Burnaby/Lougheed, GardenWorks - Mandeville, Grow & Gather, Hunters Garden Centre - Surrey, Vancouver, and Phoenix Perennials.

Find the Planting Intergenerational Promises Lesson Plan here.

*Seniors' photos credit Ashley Martens Photography.