Are you concerned because the class is multi aged?

Multi age has an advantage on all levels from social, language, literacy, numeracy, problem solving, empathy to sharing and turn taking. Most families are a mixture of ages and abilities and when extended family is added the mix is greater all learning from one another.

A mixed age or composite class works the same way except the students are able to learn at their own pace and not at the level expectation of the class. Students are encouraged to help each other, challenge themselves to achieve better results. When the teacher is able to challenge them as independent learners and class members and peers are encouraged to help each other, there is a positive flow on effect which boosts the confidence of the students.

Having been a contact Director at this centre since 2004, I can see that it works and has a postive effect on all students. I know that learning is a continual and on-going process. Self-confidence and self-esteem is just as important as being able to write their name or being able to count to 100. Children are naturally inquisitive and they need to be able to ask questions, seek answers, speak out and challenge their own learning.

Latest research on the impact of multi aged learning shows that by grade 6 there is no difference between students that from multi aged learners or straight grade classes in academic performance but the social indicators of tolerance, empathy, adaptability of class and social situations was significantly higher in the multi aged classrooms.

This is also the case for a multi age childcare room - Yes! we care about all children and we are the platform for which children begin their lifelong journey of learning.