Mixed-age Montessori in action

One thing I love so much about Montessori education is the mixed-age classroom.  There are so many advantages to having a 3-year span of ages within the same community of learners.  This past week I have witnessed first-hand the amazing results that can happen in such an environment.  I have a first-year three-year-old who has been going through a phase of missing her mom during class time.  This is not uncommon, as preschoolers often go through little periods where they have a hard time separating from a parent to attend school.  Of course, I am communicating with the parents about the situation and we all believe it will pass with time.  Still, it is hard to have her sad and teary when every other child is content and happy in our classroom.  During this temporary rough patch, my assistants and I have given her some extra TLC by spending more one-on-one time with her and helping her choose activities to stay busy and keep her mind off missing her mom.  Despite our best efforts, she still has had a hard time "pulling it together". 

Enter the Montessori mixed-age miracle in action.  Our miracle worker in this situation turned out to be a second-year five-year-old boy. This little boy is particularly sensitive to the feelings of others.  He just does not like to see other children upset.  On the first day he noticed the little girl's sadness, he came to me to make sure I was aware and asked me why she was sad.  I told him that she missed her mommy that day.  Satisfied with my answer, he immediately proceeded to go over to her and talk to her kindly and gently.  He invited her to work with him and, for the rest of that work period, they were inseparable.  It was truly a miraculous transformation for this little girl.  And my young friend was able to accomplish what my assistants and I had not been able to do. 

If this had been a classroom of all three-year-olds, the events I have described here would have been much less likely to occur.  I am not saying there couldn't be a sensitive, caring three-year-old who would have expressed concern over a classmate's sadness.  However, the added maturity that my five-year-old has, simply because he is older, played a significant role in what transpired.  He was aware enough and mature enough to know exactly what he needed to do to help his classmate.  I merely sat back and watched in amazement.  It has truly been a wonderful thing to observe. 

Prior to these past few weeks, I do not think these two children have noticed each other much or played together in the classroom.  They were not in class together last year.  They don't play together outside of school.  However, they have forged a close bond that I believe will last throughout the school year.  An unlikely pairing?  Yes!..........3 year old girl.............5 year old boy.........not the most typical combination of playmates.  Still........it is what has resulted from an environment built on caring about one another.  And I think it is a beautiful thing.  I could not be more pleased.  And I had absolutely nothing to do with it.  Maria Montessori was so right on when she wrote extensively about the inner transformative powers of children.  Truly, the hope for our future lies in these little ones.  Let us never forget that.

Comments

[Aditi]

I've experienced this with my son as well - though I gleaned this from him, and not from his teacher. He too went through a long phase where he was missing me a lot, and eventually was drawn out by an elder student, a 5 year old girl, who sort of nurtured him till he was confident to be on his own.

[sybil]

I want you to know that I love your blog site! I am currently a Montessori teacher trainee and student teacher and I love your ideas! I am so encouraged by your posts... Just wanted you to know!

[Lindart]

I have seen this happen over and over again! My best assistants in the classroom, especially with new little ones, are always the older "more experienced" children. They don't need me to comfort them when another child does this so much better! This year I have a class of 2 & 3 year old first year children. It's just not quite the same! Next year, though, these "little ones" will be the more experienced ones!

[Lindart]

I have seen this happen over and over again! My best assistants in the classroom, especially with new little ones, are always the older "more experienced" children. They don't need me to comfort them when another child does this so much better! This year I have a class of 2 & 3 year old first year children. It's just not quite the same! Next year, though, these "little ones" will be the more experienced ones!