The mixed age classroom provides a natural learning environment because it brings together people with varied life experiences.
The built-in diversity of mixed ages
provides students with the opportunity to experience being youngest, middle or older children in a group.
The teacher has a chance to develop a long term relationship with the child, and to watch the child's
development over a three year period.
Only one third of the class changes each year so less time is spent settling a new class and laying ground rules, while more time can be spent on learning, growing, and exploring.
Mixed age classrooms promote cooperation rather than competition.
All students have access to all the knowledge in the classroom. The three year old can observe four place addition, story writing and composition
and science experiments done by five year olds.
Five year olds have the opportunity to be leaders and mentors.
Social skills are imparted by the older children to the younger children through daily classroom
interaction.
