At Wee Friends, each, day, we have the opportunity to observe the many benefits of a multi-aged classroom setting. Stanford PhD and international leader in early childhood education, Lillian Katz, expresses:
“Young children who are encouraged, comforted and nurtured by older children will be able to emulate their older classmates when they themselves become the oldest in the group. Children need opportunities to not only observe and imitate a wide variety of competencies, but also to find companions among their peers who match, compliment or supplement their interests in different ways. In a mixed age group, younger children are capable of participating and contributing to far more complex activities than they could initiate if they were by themselves.”
Game playing has emerged as an area of great interest. After breakfast, Kai asked if he could set up a game of “Zingo!”. Alexandra and Nate were the first two friends who joined in. As Kai called out the object, he helped both friends recognize if they had a match on their board. Later, Ada and Arleigh requested that they play on the board’s red side. Simon worked diligently at replacing the tiles into their rightful place.
We introduced a new game yesterday called “Buckaroo!” which requires players to hang different objects on the donkey’s saddle, making sure the donkey doesn’t buck his hind legs with the growing weight on his back. Alexandra carefully placed objects on his saddle while Annie showed her how to press his tail to get his legs down again.
In both scenarios, our Wee Friends were able to work collaboratively on the same game at different developmental levels.
At the art table, we set out long strips of construction paper, pieces of paper with numbers 1-10, glue and sparkles. Again, each friend mastered this math/art experience according to their own developmental ability and momentary interest!! Macy sequenced numbers 1-7. Annie chose various numbers and then glued the corresponding number of sparkles to each one. Nate exercised fine motor muscles by squeezing the glue bottle and gluing multiple numbers to the paper strip. Arleigh combined numbers and sparkles in an artistic, creative way. Addie sequenced numbers 8-9 and studied the various sparkly shapes in the bowl.
Umi, Alma, Alexandra and Nate gathered in the reading area. They took turns reading books and together, retold the stories and then acted them out. They sat together and talked to each other, sharing ideas and listening to one another.
Alexandra tucked her two older friends in bed and read them a bedtime story.
With his two older buddies, Stephen explored Simon’s (on loan!) new washing machine experimenting with all the different items that would fit inside it. Ultimately, we all decided clothes were the best and safest fit!
Whether it’s working a puzzle, snapping beans or sitting in parallel play with a new friend, Elliott fits right in and participates the many activities we explore each day!
Multi-aged classrooms teach children to “…appreciate their own progress and to develop a sense of this continuity..” -L. Katz
We rehearsed for our upcoming THURSDAY NOV 17th CONCERT at 4:30, introducing a new song! We ate a delicious lunch of peanut butter on whole wheat bread, applesauce and cucumbers with cream cheese.
Have a fabulous day.