Description
Utilizing a developmental, play-based model in multi-age classroom environments, children engage in emergent, sensory-based learning, as well as nature explorations during outdoor classroom time.
A multi-age classroom benefits the children by fostering trusting relationships between the students, and with the adults who care for them.
This type of grouping allows the instruction to be individualized as the teacher is better able to see where each child is and meet them there. This type of classroom grouping supports the children’s development of “pro-social” behaviors such as sharing, turn taking, and helping. The older children are able to be mentors to the younger students while the younger children have the opportunity to grow into the role of mentor to new children coming into the classroom.