Montessori Mixed Age Classrooms- Montessori Institute of Broward .

Welcome to the Montessori Institute of Broward Youtube Channel, I’m Elizabeth Hernandez, school director. In this video we’ll share the value and the importance of mixed aged classrooms for a child's education. Doctor Maria Montessori observed that mixed aged classrooms help with the various elements of learning: Repetition Once presented, materials are mastered through repetition, which takes time and practice. Here, there is plenty of time and opportunity to practice and learn without feeling pressure or rushed to finish by a certain time. This allows children to really process and take in the material and learn at their own pace It’s Natural: A Montessori environment looks a lot more like real life than a room of same age students. In life we socialize with people of different age groups, and learning in this environment is natural to kids -- in fact, the love to work in this community. Community: Having a mixed age classroom allows the children to develop real life skills such as cooperation, respect, critical thinking and curiosity. In this way they truly build a community of peers in the classroom. In addition, our community abides by the rules of grace and courtesy, treating each other with respect, kindness and civility. Children then use these skills into their daily lives outside of school, and making positive contributions to their community. Observation: Younger children learn by watching older children as well as adults. In a mixed-age classroom, older children show what is possible and through their own work encourage and excite others to move through their lessons and challenge themselves. Practice: In the Montessori environment children stay with the same teachers for three years, establishing a strong bond between them. THe teacher really gets to know the students and how they learn, while the student has plenty of time to practice and master lessons, allowing them to advance at their own pace. Teaching: We often see a five or six-year-old sitting with a three-year-old, giving them a lesson. In teaching something to a younger child, an older student deepens their own understanding of the lesson. In teaching, we learn. Leadership As kids stay in the same classroom for 3 years, Older children become leaders with confidence because they are secure in their environment. They step into the big kid role with joy and willingness to help other peers.