Mixed-age grouping in Preschool education (also know as family grouping) is where children are grouped in various ages rather than the more traditional way of grouping children by age (2, 3s & 4/5 year olds).
As families are getting smaller in Australia, many children have little contact with children across a range of ages. Mixed-age grouping at preschool gives children regular opportunities to be part of a diverse group.
Our Educator’s support and encourage children to be tolerant and work well with others. Children younger and older experience a range of benefits here are some of the stand out benefits we see at Kids Cottage Preschool:
Learning
Educating a group of mixed age children allows educators to see children as individuals and meet their often different individual needs. Physical and intellectual development is well provided for as each child is able to play, work and learn at their own pace. Children learn to accept and respect others’ abilities and can themselves attempt any experience without embarrassment or a sense of failure.
Language
Younger children’s language skills are continually expanded as older children role model surround them with increased complex language to hear and try out this new language with their peers. Older children also expand their language use as they use language in different ways to explain and describe processes to their younger peers. Learning to modify their language, behaviours and expectations based on the ages and understandings of the other children develops their ability to ‘read’ younger children’s non-verbal clues and respond accordingly.
Social and emotional development occurs naturally in mixed age groupings. New children settle more easily and feel secure with the support of their sibling and/or older children. Settled children frequently take on leadership roles, guiding and supporting children who are new or are less capable and competent while at the same time building their own self-confidence and self-esteem. They model turn taking and sharing. Children with no younger siblings at home have opportunities to ‘be a big sister or brother’ and nurture and help others as well as form relationships with younger children.
Play is often more complex as older children extend younger children’s ideas or younger children follow ideas suggested and contribute to the play. Educators have great teaching moments as children learn about others.
Within play we note fewer behavioural problems as children of varying ages do not compete for the same equipment. Their play interests are often different, four-year-old has needs and interests that are often not shared by the two-year-old and they tend to interact in more positive social ways. There is less aggression and conflict over toys or equipment and more nurturing of others. In mixed age groups children learn more positive behaviours from a wider age range of children.
Relationships
Children develop friendships and engage in learning just as they would in same age settings with the added bonus of being able to access peer support and lead learning for other children. These opportunities offer children the opportunity to develop more sophisticated social skills.
Confidence
Less confident preschoolers are able to organically mix with younger children. Over time, they build their confidence in mixing with same age and older peers. These children often find this less stressful not having to match their peers’ behaviours and abilities and so they avoid the competitiveness that does arise within groups of preschoolers.
