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Mixed-Age Early Childhood Program Benefits
Mixed-age classrooms are not groups of children grouped by age rather combine kids. Mixed age grouping is recommended by experts and supported by the National Association of Education for Young Children (NAEYC).
1. Mixed-aged programming mimics family structures and neighborhood groupings. For years these groupings have been the backbone for community socialization and education for children. As families have fewer children and live further away from extended family, opportunities for children to interact in mixed- age groupings decline greatly.
2. Leadership opportunities and skills increase among the older children. This is very beneficial for those children who may not take a leadership role among their peers. Leadership practice builds confidence, kindness and critical social skills desired for entry into a larger setting such as a public school.
3. Mixed-age programming facilities growth in development for both the younger and older child. The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is the space where a child is challenged and excited. This space is broadened in mixed-age programs where children can stimulate each other’s growth.
4. Academic and social skills improve for all children. Peer tutoring and support is built right into the program environment. This benefits all ages of children academically. The tutor reinforces his or her own learning and the child being tutored is getting 1:1 teaching as socialization skills are practiced and positive for both.
5. Mixed-age programs boost self-esteem. Children develop at different rates and this is most prevalent when they are young. The differences in development rates are very much accepted and understood in a mixed-age program. This type of programming allows for individual differential teaching by the teacher since it is in a small class setting.
Supporting families by offering high-quality early childhood education that fosters a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Through partnership with Med Pros Share’s network of developmental therapists and educators, EPIC: Educational Partnership in the Community, is committed to creating a safe, secure and nurturing multi-cultural environment, designed to facilitate exploration and creativity. The positive wellbeing of each child is foremost at all times. Opportunities for the developmental growth of each child in all of the following areas:
Physical development, including large and small muscles.
Social development, including communication skills.
Emotional development, including positive self-concept, coping strategies and self-regulation.
Intellectual development, including exposure to arts, music and culture.
“We value family, partnership and individualized childhood education.”
-Ms. Baker, Early Childhood Teacher
Learning needs to be joyful, child-friendly, and active.
We believe in meeting children where they are and providing classroom experiences, with guidance, that will enable them to develop the foundation skills they need to thrive as lifetime learners.
We encourage and foster children’s natural curiosity to promote skill development through their desire to learn new things and repeat that skill until mastered. We recognize that through multi-sensory encounters within the learning environment, the process of learning is compounded and accelerated.
Using child-preferred topics, along with interaction with individuals in the classroom, we recognize the child’s past history of their own experiences, feelings and concepts, and use those ingredients of living to create meaningful learning.
Furthermore, parents are permitted to visit and participate at all times if they wish. Our partnership is one of collaboration for supporting the child’s growth, development and learning.
