A range of activities was on display, with residents helping the children to put together puzzles, paint, create models out of Play-Doh and play games.

Room leader at Griffith Central Preschool Melissa Harris said the two groups clicked immediately and it was important for the children to have interactions with older members of the community.

"They've really connected straight away," Ms Harris said.

"There are a few kids who are usually quite shy and standoffish but even they're in there giving it their all, they shocked me actually!

"It's just that different interaction, I guess some of them wouldn't have great-grandparents around, some grandparents would obviously be a lot younger than these residents so just having that interaction with a different generation."

Pioneer Lodge resident Monica John gave the tick of approval to the visit, spending most of the visit playing the game Zingo with the children.

"I wish we had one like that!" Ms John said.

"They look after you, they make sure you win your share and we were making sure they won!

"They're terrific kids."

The visit was capped off with both children and adults alike singing nursery rhymes and dancing along to the song Baby Shark.

Lifestyle coordinator at Pioneers Lodge Heather Hayworth said the visit will quickly become a talking point of the lodge.

"After the session they [the residents] will just be talking about them all day!" Ms Hayworth said.

"When elderly people start deteriorating or getting dementia, it's just amazing how the interaction with children can just bring everyone alive.

"It's great for the children, it's great for the adults."

READ MORE

Ms Harris said the preschool will visit the facility again next month, but in December it is expected some of the residents will head to the preschool for a visit of their own.

"We're in the progress of trying to work it out with the staff here to make it a regular thing next year," Ms Harris said.

"So the children and the residents get to know each other better, so we'll bring the same group all the time.

"That way that connection forms, they know who they are coming to see, then they look forward to it, they remember names and that kind of thing.

"I guess with that comes along other aspects as well, life aspects... there will be days when the residents are sick or unfortunately they do pass away, so there is all those life aspects the children will get to deal with as well."

***

While you're with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to your inbox every Monday at 6am from The Area News? To make sure you're up to date with all the Griffith and MIA news you can sign up here.