Every Wednesday during the school term, eight children from Western Australia's Carson Street Education Support Primary School take part in the Grannies and Pops program for an hour of reading, games, and morning tea.

Key points: Primary school children with disabilities and aged care residents in WA have formed strong bonds through a weekly program

Primary school children with disabilities and aged care residents in WA have formed strong bonds through a weekly program Grannies and Pops has wrapped up for the year, with the children saying goodbye to their 'grandparents', for now, with a concert

Grannies and Pops has wrapped up for the year, with the children saying goodbye to their 'grandparents', for now, with a concert Both the children and residents say their lives have been enriched by the program, with each group learning about life from the other

When the children arrive at Swancare Waminda, they rush up to the resident they have been paired with, most throwing their arms around them to greet them, before the reading and chat begins.

The program was started five years ago by teacher Melinda Davies, who was inspired to bring the groups together when her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and moved into aged care.

"One day he was sitting there and his face just lit up," Ms Davies said.

"I looked up and saw a child playing there.

"I thought to myself, I've got eight beautiful kids in a classroom, why can't I share them with some of the residents?"

'Instant success': Melinda Davies, who is now retired, founded the Grannies and Pops program five years ago. ( ABC Radio Perth: Emma Wynne )

'Astounding impact'

The children are part of the Reach program, where children from a special school — who have a range of conditions including autism, cerebral palsy, ADHD, and Down syndrome — are placed in a mainstream local primary school.

After approaching Swancare in Bentley and recruiting a group of residents to volunteer, Ms Davies knew from the first session that her idea would pay off.

Samuel, eight, and Granny Jean have formed a strong bond. ( ABC Radio Perth: Emma Wynne )

"The very first time we met, they came through these doors to open arms and beaming residents," she said.

"They ran into their arms and I knew it was going to work."

While the aim was to teach the students social skills and respect for others, the partnership has gone beyond her expectations.

The children often invite their adopted grandparents to their birthday parties, and residents' and students' families have become friends.

"The friendships have been bonded over there and the impact on their lives is quite astounding," Ms Davies said.

At the final meeting of the year, the children and residents exchanged Christmas presents. ( ABC Radio Perth: Emma Wynne )

Everyone has something to learn

While the residents were recruited to help the children, they have found their lives equally enriched.

For resident Ethel, who is paired with an eight-year-old called Elaine, it is love.

"She comes in, she flings her arms around my neck, she's a sweet little thing," Ethel said.

"It's gratifying … because at long last she is reading.

"You can learn from these little children about life, it's an interesting thing."

Ryan and Malcolm enjoy reading together every week before they have a game. ( ABC Radio Perth: Emma Wynne )

Resident Malcolm said being with 11-year-old Ryan keeps him young.

"When Ryan first gets here he reads his book, so he knows how to read properly," he said.

"We usually do a bit of colouring or something like that and then we have morning tea.

"They are very artistic, with drawing and those sorts of thing — they are very good."

The children are also very curious: eight-year-old Samuel has been interested to learn about his partner Jean's cochlear implant.

"I like to get Jean to help me read my book," Samuel said.

"And I'm excited for Christmas."

The children performed a concert for the final meeting of the year. ( ABC Radio Perth: Emma Wynne )

'We are all going to get there one day'

Ms Davies said the interaction between young and old had proven instructional in lots of different ways.

"Another thing for our children was to learn about the life cycle," Ms Davies said.

"They are always asking questions — how come they have grey hair, how come they are using frames, why is their skin different?

"So we had to explain to them this is the aging process and we are all going to get there one day."

On the final meeting of the year, everyone exchanged presents and cards before the children put on short performance for the residents, and then the games began.

After reading and morning tea, the kids and residents play games. ( ABC Radio Perth: Emma Wynne )

Swancare CEO Graham Francis said the program enriched residents lives as much as the students.

"We are rapt in how it's working," Mr Francis said.

"I know our residents look forward to it as much as the kids do.

"It makes our residents really feel valued, contributing to the kids' education, helping them with their reading and games."