Abstract
Significance of senior volunteers through reading picture books aloud to children at preschool childcare
and educational facilities was examined. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven senior
volunteers, mainly on the following topics: （1） reasons for starting the activity, （2） their approach to
conducting the activity, and（ 3） their feelings about the activity. The results indicated that picture book
reading activity to children in preschool childcare and educational facilities was lifelong learning for
senior volunteers and encouraged them to achieve their tasks throughout their life. Moreover, the process
of playing a special role through visiting childcare facilities from outside with a sense of responsibility
facilitated generativity, such as passing down good picture books from generation to generation.
Interactions with children provided senior volunteers with joy, pleasure, and motivation to live. The
self-efficacy obtained by playing the role was considered to result in the integration of life from the
perspective of lifespan development. Furthermore, it was suggested that cooperation with children and
other members conducting the activity together, which was mediated by picture books was important for
development of senior volunteers through reading picture books to children.
