Why does the a classroom work with multiage groups?
In this different approach lies the 3 year age span of a multi-aged classroom. Montessori discovered that children developed qualities crucial to their social and mental development when working together at different levels of ability. The classroom offers much diversity and stimulation due to these different levels of progress. Because of the age span and the consistency of the three year cycle children foster true friendships with peers, the result of being together longer over a period of time. The older children gain a sense of maturity and confidence as the younger children look up to them as role models and leaders. The younger children imitate or may just observe their older peers, and the older ones an opportunity to reinforce their knowledge by teaching the younger ones a particular skill. They form a give and take relationship of mutual help. They learn to respect one anothers feelings, cooperating in social interaction amongst children and adults of different ages. Keeping t
