The Multi Age Classroom

This article was sent to our parents from Miss Vicki, one of our Children’s House teachers.
Miss Vicki’s thoughts are combined with excerpts from the Association Montessori Internationale article, Mixed Ages in the Montessori Environment by Molly O’Shaughnessy

Do you wonder why Montessori classrooms have a mix of ages? The presence of younger children in the classroom allows the older ones to take on the roles of caretaker, hero, and mentor through activities such as peer teaching. Giving a lesson they are familiar with reinforces and expands older children’s own knowledge and understanding; further, it builds the self-confidence that comes from being an “expert.”

The differences in the characteristics of children, even over an age range as small as three years, can open opportunities for all children in a classroom to learn from each other. For instance, younger members of a Montessori early childhood class are still in the sensitive period for order, which lasts up to about the age of five. These children’s strong sense of order can serve as a reminder of classroom expectations, influencing the older children, to whom physical order may no longer feel as important as it once did.

Observing the work of the older children foreshadows for the younger ones what they will learn in the future. More than that, however, the younger children absorb intellectual concepts simply by observing. Interaction with the older children exposes them to advanced concepts and stimulates their cognitive development.

A mix of ages also allows for more individualized learning. Children learn at different paces and in different ways. In a mixed-age setting, the teacher can tailor the presentations and lessons to meet the unique needs of both the individuals and the group. A Montessori approach allows for flexibility and adaptability because it is not a traditional curriculum the teacher follows; instead, planning is based on observation.

Older children (typically in their third year of a cycle) solidify their knowledge by teaching younger ones, which boosts their confidence and reinforces learning. Younger children are inspired by observing their older friends and they want to work hard to do the lessons that they are doing.