Bid Farewell to Intergenerational Silence! Taitung Grandparents' Day Attracts 250, 7 Interactive Stations Bridge the Emotional Gap

As modern life grows increasingly fast-paced, opportunities for meaningful interaction among grandparents, parents, and grandchildren are often limited by busy schedules and generational gaps. To promote intergenerational education and raise public awareness of elder care, Taitung County Government responded to the fourth Sunday of August's 'Grandparents' Day' by hosting the 'Love Together! Grandparent-Grandchild Summer Fun – Taitung County 2026 Grandparents' Day Family Day' at the National Museum of Prehistory. The event attracted approximately 250 grandparents, grandchildren, and parent-child families, who enthusiastically participated in cross-generational companionship and fun interactive activities, creating warm and lasting shared memories.

The event centered on the theme of 'active care and intergenerational companionship,' kicking off with a vibrant performance by the energetic Family Education Volunteer Group, showcasing a model of active aging among seniors. The Department of Education explained that to break down generational barriers, 'Grandparent-Grandchild Summer Fun' was specially designed around three core pillars—art, co-learning, and family—featuring seven family education checkpoint activities. These guided participating families to experience the 'Five Languages of Love' firsthand, enhancing mutual understanding and emotional exchange through playful games.

Seven family education checkpoint activities were set up on-site to help families experience the 'Five Languages of Love.' Grandparents and grandchildren embraced and praised each other in 'The Great Love Mission Adventure,' shared their feelings in 'Emotion Magic Egg,' and strengthened their bond in 'Chemistry Challenge' by guessing each other's preferences using whiteboards, increasing opportunities for sharing and interaction. Additionally, two special programs—'Story Magic House' and 'Summer Art Creation'—invited instructors to lead age-appropriate families in picture book reading sessions and hands-on crafting with clay and doodling. Through these creative and storytelling experiences, emotional distances were bridged, deepening intergenerational empathy and connection.

Facing the arrival of an aging society, how can families overcome intergenerational communication barriers and provide psychological support to elders? Taitung's Education Director Tsai Mei-Yao pointed out that as societal structures transform, 'intergenerational education' has become a key component in building a healthy family support system—not merely a transfer of experience and wisdom, but a bridge of mutual understanding and respect. Through shared learning experiences between grandparents and grandchildren, children can learn respect and gratitude from an early age, while elders gain a sense of achievement and emotional fulfillment through companionship, effectively breaking down generational divides.

Regarding future elderly support and family education promotion, Taitung County Government stated that the Family Education Center will continue to deepen collaboration with community care hubs and Indigenous Health Stations, planning diverse courses and hands-on activities across local communities. This initiative actively advances policies to delay disability and support aging in place. By integrating regular community practices, the government hopes to embed the values of 'respecting and cherishing elders' into daily life, achieving intergenerational integration and building a warm, happy, age-friendly city.