Why are there children of different ages in each classroom?
Not only did Maria Montessori believe, but most educational theory and research indicates that learning is an individual process – in time frame, style, and interests – and that children learn from one another. Even though most schools are organized by homogeneous, single-age grouping, research has not found this to be beneficial. Montessori education theory supports multi age grouping, and Montessori teachers have implemented it for over 100 years. The basic fact is that children learn from one another. This can be seen in family and play situations where children are free to observe and interact in a variety of activities. Young children learn higher level cognitive and social skills not only through mental development, but also by observing others as models. Montessori multi-age classrooms usually incorporate a three-year age span based on similarities in physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Each group of children remains together in the same environment and with
