The role played by grandparents in family support and learning: considerations for mainstream and special schools

TY - JOUR

T1 - The role played by grandparents in family support and learning

T2 - considerations for mainstream and special schools

AU - Mitchell, W

PY - 2008

Y1 - 2008

N2 - The twenty-first century family faces many demographic changes. Despite this, the importance of intergenerational relationships remains. This article initially reviews the literature surrounding the role that grandparents play in their children's families, highlighting a growing body of research demonstrating the important support role that grandparents play in the lives of families with non-disabled children. In contrast, there is limited research on the role played by and support needs of grandparents to families with disabled children. Recognising the significance of 'family' rather than purely 'parent'-based partnerships in UK schools, this article considers the role and importance of grandparents in schools, in particular, intergenerational learning, and how schools can begin to include grandparents and also provide support to meet grandparents' own support needs. Despite a limited literature on schools working specifically with grandparents of children with SEN, some policy and practice issues are discussed and areas for future consideration suggested.

AB - The twenty-first century family faces many demographic changes. Despite this, the importance of intergenerational relationships remains. This article initially reviews the literature surrounding the role that grandparents play in their children's families, highlighting a growing body of research demonstrating the important support role that grandparents play in the lives of families with non-disabled children. In contrast, there is limited research on the role played by and support needs of grandparents to families with disabled children. Recognising the significance of 'family' rather than purely 'parent'-based partnerships in UK schools, this article considers the role and importance of grandparents in schools, in particular, intergenerational learning, and how schools can begin to include grandparents and also provide support to meet grandparents' own support needs. Despite a limited literature on schools working specifically with grandparents of children with SEN, some policy and practice issues are discussed and areas for future consideration suggested.

KW - family

KW - ill/disabled children

KW - older people

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=65349099990&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1111/j.1467-9604.2008.00383.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1467-9604.2008.00383.x

M3 - Article

VL - 23

SP - 126

EP - 135

JO - Support For Learning

JF - Support For Learning

IS - 3

ER -