Day 44-Mixed Age magic

Most of us have a strange idea that children should play and be with only those of their same age group. If the child enjoys the company of someone much older or much younger we seem to worry. 

But have you seen fights between children of different age groups? It is quite rare. Younger children  like to follow older ones and the older ones naturally become responsible for the younger ones.

In our schools, where children of the same age group are in the same class, conflicts and quarrels and jealousy is quite common. No wonder our teachers have to actively engage all children all the time and be extra vigilant when children have free time.

In classrooms with children of mixed age group , one may notice that younger children pick up concepts much much easily from the older ones. Children have a way of communicating their understanding to each other. It is amazing how easily the older children make the younger ones grasp ideas. The teacher may therefore not have to shout and waste her energies settling down children.

I have noticed how very young children grasped difficult concepts from their peers , something a teacher might not have been able to accomplish. Sometimes children have this push of having to learn something cool from the peers just to fit in. The older child likes to show off his understanding by displaying it to the younger child. Whatever be the motive, it seems extremely beneficial for both the children because while the younger one learns something new, the older one reinforces his learning as well as discovers something new in the process of teaching the younger ones.

What a genius idea it is to group children of various age groups in the same class!!!Finally some peace for the blessed teacher!