Forget asking Google and tap into your Gran or Pop’s wisdom instead

A SIMPLE challenge by one woman to get her cousins to ask their grandparents first before googling has been so successful, it now has federal government backing and will be rolled out in schools across the country.

A SIMPLE idea to get children to ask their grandparents for answers instead of Google has turned into a hugely successful program that will be rolled out across Australia this week.

Ask Gran, Not Google is the brainchild of aged care worker Shelly Fletcher, who challenged

her nine cousins (aged six to 30) to ask “Nan” and “Pop” first before searching online.

It went so well that she took it to her employers and their pilot program was so successful the federal government has provided a $536,000 grant to offer it to any school in Australia that wants to participate.

“We did it for a month and the results were amazing,” Mrs Fletcher, 32, of Ballina said.

“To Pop I asked a lot of gardening questions and to Nan a lot about being a mum but the other stuff I learnt along the way was amazing — I did not know Pop was the concrete manager on the build for the new Parliament House.”

Samuel Fisher from Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar with his 95-year-old Pop Ron Fisher

Her employers, Feros Aged Care, were quick to agree to a pilot program.

Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar in Terranora in northern NSW was part of the pilot project last year with primary school children asked to write or video-message questions to special seniors in their life, from grandparents to neighbours and the elderly at Feros Care residential villages.

“They asked things like: What’s the best recipe for a cake? Do red cars really go faster? If I eat a watermelon seed will a watermelon grow in my tummy? And: Why do stars only come out at night?” Mrs Fletcher said.

Learning enrichment co-ordinator from Lindisfarne Kim Denny said the high school will be part of the program this year.

“It’s great for families to connect but some students don’t have grandparents so this gives them an opportunity to connect,” Ms Denny said.

Shelly Fletcher with her daughters Maggie and Lola.

Vivienne and Ronald Fletcher with their great granddaughters Maggie and Lola.

Feros Care will now offer the program to any school in Australia that wants to try it.

“My family is overjoyed that our little experiment is sparking a much bigger conversation about the wisdom, experience and value our seniors can bring to the lives of young people,” Mrs Fletcher said.

Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Ken Wyatt said the idea was about forging better links with the elderly.

“This is a win-win innovation for young and old, focusing on the fun of generational sharing and the value of personal connections,” Mr Wyatt told The Sunday Telegraph.

Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt. Picture: Mick Tsikas

Feros Care hopes Ask Gran Not Google will reach 91,000 students in more than 950 schools during the next three years, with plans to further expand it to 3600 schools and 246,000 students.

Feros Care CEO Jennene Buckley said the not-for-profit organisation had been “blown away” by the response.

“We have been overwhelmed by how quickly teachers have rushed to sign up since we were able to expand the program,” Ms Buckley said.

“In a society where people are lamenting the erosion of old-world values, Ask Gran Not Google is playing a key role in helping build and foster intergenerational connections.”