Asserts that multi-age grouping in early childhood settings can and does work. Addresses four main hurdles to successful implementation: (1) laws and regulations that act as barriers; (2) health concerns; (3) overcoming educational values that conflict with those of the age-grouped classroom; and (4) staff misunderstanding of multi-age grouping…

Studied peer acceptance, social status, and social reputation in children attending mixed-age programs. Found that younger children were less well-accepted and more likely to be nominated by peers as shy, while gender (but not age) affected aggressiveness. Also found that at the primary level, girls were more likely to be nominated as shy. (EV)

Chronicles the efforts of one primary teacher as she begins a multiage classroom. Includes program guidelines. (ET)

Presents four articles on the benefits of multi-age child care settings as being similar to a natural family setting. The workshop titles are: "The Benefits of the Mix" (Katz); "Dealing with Staff and Parent Concerns" (Allison); "Multi-Age at Riverfield Country Day School" (Clark); and "Making Multi-Age Groups Work" (Bergman and Gainer). (LBT)

Notes that the majority of brain development occurs in the first three years of life. States that infant and toddler interactions are beneficial to both ages, provided contact occurs in a safe environment. Discusses how infants and toddlers learn from each other through play, even if they are nonverbal, and further benefit from insights and…

Serving as a vehicle for raising the profile of and thereby gaining recognition for the important research and development work being conducted in Canada in support of children and families, the "Research Connections Canada" series compiles research and/or development papers as well as background papers, analytical literature reviews,…

A review of the literature on mixed-age settings reveals benefits in the areas of social and cognitive development. Research on the psychosocial advantages of mixed-age groupings is less consistent. Factors such as group size, age range, time together, and context-specific curriculum activities may have a relationship to the level of success and…

Summaries of seven ERIC documents and four journal articles are given. These documents and articles concern issues related to children's social development. (BC)

This study examined the attitudes of 140 children ages 2 through 7 toward mixed-age grouping in a Slovenian kindergarten (preschool) setting. On four consecutive Friday mornings the children, normally grouped in classes aged 2-3 years, 3-4 years, 4-5 years, and 5-7 years, were given the opportunity to switch classes and play among children of…

A three-day experiment set up by an early childhood teacher explored Piaget's view that children younger than age eight lack ability to take another's point of view. The experiment focused on a bear, the class mascot, and observations of children's empathetic behavior toward its "injury." Age-related differences in the children's…

Recently, numerous larger schools have tried to capture the potential advantages of a wide age range in their classrooms. The nongraded organizational system recognizes and plans for varied student abilities, provides for different rates of progress, and adjusts to individual emotional and social needs. Both advantages and disadvantages are…

Presents two American Montessori Society position papers. "Multi-Age Grouping" offers an analysis of eight specific methods and strategies of multiage practice that serve as a useful guide for implementation. "Peace Education" explains the need for, the requirements for, and the benefits of peace education as part of a school's…

This study compared the social interaction and types of symbolic play found in mixed-age and same-age preschool groups. The sample included 8 groups of 14 to 20 children, which were naturally formed and had been operating since the beginning of the school year. The four same-age groups included a group of 3- to 4-year-olds, a group of 4- to…

This compilation of resource materials includes article and book chapter reprints, checklists, and other materials of potential interest to early childhood and elementary school teachers. The book's seven sections are: (1) "Issues"; (2) "Multiyear Education"; (3) "Early Childhood"; (4) "Upper Elementary"; (5) "Assessment"; (6) "For Further…

This paper discusses three issues relating to teacher certification in Kentucky. These issues are: (1) certification of teachers who work with children under the age of 6 years; (2) preparation of teachers for primary education; and (3) alternative certification. The first issue raises questions of whether Kentucky should require certification for…