Benefits of Mixed-Age Classrooms
Mixed-age classrooms offer wonderful benefits to children that lead to better academic and social outcomes. Children enjoy learning from each other as they are more easily inspired by their friends. This instills a love for learning. It also prepares them better for the real world and fosters emotional stability, independence, and responsibility. Psychological studies and teachers experience in the classrooms all over support these claims.
The advantages include:
1. Learning as a whole person.
2. Learning is a social activity.
3. Choices are made, and interests pursued independently.
4. Knowledge construction is facilitated.
5. Each person is unique, and is valued and respected.
The outcomes are tremendous for preschoolers:
a. Improved learning and comprehension
According to Montessori “There are many things which no teacher can convey to a child of three, but a child of five can do it with ease.” In the classroom, it’s common for older students to teach and explain what they know while younger children focus intently on learning from their older classmates. There are benefits for both the younger and older child. Specifically, psychologist Lev Vygotsky, noticed that younger children can be inspired by watching older, more advanced students and also receive lessons from them. Older children also benefit from re-teaching because it reinforces the previously learned concept and moves the child toward complete mastery.
Another academic advantage of multi-age classrooms is that children work at their own level and pace. While one four-year-old might be ready to start handwriting and reading, another child might not start handwriting until they’re five. However, there is space for all children to learn at their own pace, leading to academic success.
Children also re-explore the same materials at different levels throughout their 3-year cycle in the classroom. For example, the geometric solids can first be sensorially explored by a younger child. An older child may want to name them, match them to cards, or even trace and cut them out. When these materials are used often and at different levels, the opportunities for learning are endless.
b. More social confidence is build up.
A four-year-old watches as two six-year-olds negotiate over who’s going to use a material next. The two six-year-olds calmly talk through the issue and come to an agreement. This is a wonderful teaching moment for the younger child, who can absorb social skills such as compromising, using polite words, and more, from the older students. These interactions are a daily occurrence in multi-age classrooms!
Furthermore, research shows that older children often develop a mentor role in mixed-age classrooms, helping everyone practice pro-social behaviors such as sharing, helping, and more!
c. Strong emotional well-being
Another benefit to a multi-age classroom is that there is less competition. Children in the same age group tend to compare themselves to one another a lot! With a mixed-age group, the focus is on discovery and the joy of learning. Without all of the comparison, children are able to relax and enjoy the learning process. Because each child is working at their own pace, they can focus on their own learning goals and progress. This can help relieve some of the anxiety many school children feel about academics.
Additionally, in a mixed-age classroom, everyone has someone they can work with, regardless of their skill level. Children don’t feel left behind if they struggle with a concept, and they also don’t feel bored by repetition of something they have already mastered.
d. Leadership and self-confidence.
In our experience in mixed-age classrooms, the younger children look up to the older ones as role models and the older children look forward to the opportunity to be mentors. This mentorship role helps older children develop self-confidence and leadership skills.
Children remain with the same teacher and group for a 3-year cycle, allowing each educator to better observe the unique needs of students and to more clearly understand and encourage the development of their individual learning styles. Mixed-age classrooms provide more stability, as the children form solid relationships and a sense of community with both their peers and their teachers.
e. Real-World preparedness.
How often do people divide by age group in the real world? Not too often! Mixed-age classrooms better prepare children for the “real world,” in which they’ll interact with other people of a range of ages, experiences, and abilities.
Mixed-age classrooms offer so many benefits and wonderful opportunities for children to enjoy. Will you give your child the gift of a mixed-age classroom?
References:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02568549709594701
