The top question I hear from parents and friends is about multiage classrooms. This concern is real and ripe out there in the parenting world. Multiage classrooms have always made sense to me. Teaching and learning isn't about a specific age, it is about a pace and a stage of development. So, there are overlaps and discrepancies across a variety of learning areas over a range of ages. Since I do hear this question a lot, I thought I'd write up a few ideas for you to ponder either on your quest as a parent or on your quest to educate parents.
Advantages of Multiage Classrooms
Leadership Opportunities
Often parents worry that the younger children in the classroom will distract the teachers and take attention away from the older children. This is not the case. Older children benefit from the ability to lead younger children. Leading, whether in guiding a new student or giving a bit of attention to a younger student who may be having a difficult time away from his parents, is a critical experience for a young child. These “soft” skills are vital in emotional and social development of the child.
Academic Opportunities
Many parents worry that if their child is the oldest in the classroom then he will not be challenged academically. In multiage classrooms, teachers engage older children to “give” lessons to younger children. Younger children are encouraged to observe the older child's more advanced work. Older children benefit from the ability to teach. Teaching ingrains a concept.
Older children model more sophisticated, complex problem solving and critical thinking. So, younger children are able to develop skills without the guidance of an adult teacher. In other words, if it weren't for the older child, the younger child would most likely have to seek, or rely on, the adult. So, the younger child develops independence and feels secure about his capabilities.
Same Teacher, Same Classroom
The child and her teacher are able to truly get to know and to trust one another over the years. The child becomes intimately familiar with the environment, and begins to understand himself as a learner and as a person of the world. The classroom community is strong and family like in the children and teachers supporting and caring for one another.
Child Develops at his Own Pace
The “five year old” who isn't reading yet is not labelled as “behind” in a multiage classroom. He is able to develop at his own pace and within the range of typical development (3 to 6 years old for language, for example) without feeling inadequate. The child has years to develop, rather than a shorter amount of time under loads of pressure, thereby allowing the child to progress and succeed according to his ability. The child sees himself as a unique individual able to learn as he needs to learn.
Child Led Learning Environment
A child in a multiage classroom is able to develop over time within a supportive community according to his ability. As a result, he is able to lead his own learning. He is able to take control of his learning, to own it. The result is a lifelong love of learning. The child discovers reading, writing, math, science, geography, and so on on his own. That is powerful.
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Marnie