We are more alike than we are different, and those similarities transcend time. By exploring those commonalities, we come to understand our differences.

St. Peter's Preschool's Golden Buddies program, which brings toddlers and senior citizens together in a supportive setting, isn't about formal religious education or passing along church doctrine. It's about people learning from - and about - people.

"My favorite part is seeing the laughter and the smiles, just seeing 4- and 5-year olds playing with Golden Buddies in their 90s," said Laura Cali, a St. Peter's Preschool teacher whose class is involved with the Golden Buddies program. "It's absolutely incredible. It's a wonderful thing to see."

Located at 10 Delp Road, Lancaster, St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church preschool's Golden Buddies program promotes interaction in a classroom environment between Cali's 4- and 5-year-old students and senior citizens who are members of the church. The senior citizens come to the classroom every Thursday at 11 a.m. during the school year for an hour of playful learning. Fun and magic ensues.

There is a one-to-one classroom ratio of students to Golden Buddies, with eight students and eight Golden Buddies.

"We don't assign buddies. But the kids and buddies pair up on their own based on personalities," said Cali. "They kind of gravitate toward each other. You can always find common ground to relate to people, no matter the age."

"I just love how excited the kids are and their older friends are," said Heather Cramer, St. Peter's Preschool's director. "The kids learn from their Golden Buddies."

The weekly Golden Buddies hour typically begins with a game and is followed by getting-to-know-you types of conversation starters and then a craft. The session is both structured and unstructured, but generally informal.

"We cover things that are very general," said Cali. "We'll ask, 'What's your favorite color? What's your favorite food?' We'll go over classroom content or touch on seasonal or holiday topics. The students are learning good manners, how to talk to people, how to relate to people. They're learning positive interactions."

It doesn't take long for familiarity to creep in, and once that occurs, platonic bonds evolve.

"I don't know that our focus is much on church traditions," said Cali. "It's more about friendships and getting to know people you wouldn't normally meet."

The intergenerational relationships have evolved into symbiotic ones. It may be that the senior citizens benefit from the interactions as much as their younger counterparts do.

"All of the Golden Buddies are always asking if they can do it more often," said Cramer. "Some of them bring treats when they come in."

"It is a very joyful hour," said Cali. "There's lots of laughter. (The senior citizens) get such a kick out of the kids. Some of them are as thick as thieves."

"In the beginning, when we first got it going, I wasn't expecting every single child to connect at the level that they have," added Cali. "The friendships have become deeper than I expected, which is fantastic. Now, (the students) count down the days to Golden Buddies day."

The Golden Buddies program is a relatively recent initiative at St. Peter's Preschool. But since it was formally introduced in November of 2024, the program has exceeded its planners' expectations.

"I didn't think the kids would get this excited," said Cramer. "To me, that's so important. Sometimes kids need a little more prompting. I think it's important to realize that we are all the same."

"The point is to foster intergenerational friendships," said Cali. "We want to try to connect the church with the preschool. We will definitely be doing it again next year, and we're having some of our Golden Buddies come back."

Founded in the 1980s, St. Peter's Preschool has a current enrollment that stands at 61 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds.

"When you walk in our doors, the kids are happy to be there," said Cali. "It's really a joyful place. Having the Golden Buddies come in has really enriched it. It's neat to see that joy shared."

For additional information, go to http://www.stpeterslutheran.org/preschool.