The Importance of Mixed Age Play

The Importance of Mixed-Age Play

Children playing only with others of their own age is a relatively new concept. This idea of separating children by age has been made increasingly stark through our current (yet completely outdated) education system.

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Throughout most of human history, children played with other children in multi-age groups.

Our society has swung so far to the extreme that it is rare to be able to find activities that are open for children of mixed ages. Also, it is rare to find children of various ages groups playing together unless they are family.

Benefits of Mixed-Age Play

This is an unfortunate trend. Mixed-age play (and mixed-age schooling) has been shown, through various studies, to have a variety of significant benefits to children of all ages. Some benefits are:

  • Better moral reasoning
  • More rapid cognitive development
  • Increased ability to understand literacy and numeracy concepts
  • Awareness of concepts that would traditionally be considered beyond their level
  • Increased social and emotional awareness

Benefits of Mixed-Age Play for Young and Old

Dr. Peter Gray notes, “Even when they are not playing together, younger children learn from older ones by watching and listening. They see older children climbing trees or solving puzzles, for example, and then they want to do that, so they work at it by emulating the older children’s actions.” In fact, from his research, he asserts that children are much more likely to learn from children who are a little older than them than from adults.

The benefits are not just for the youngest of the group.

Mixed-age play allows the older child to assume a greater sense of responsibility and practice nurturing in real time. They show a better sense of maturity and develop leadership qualities that can only be learned through actual experience with leading others.

Being around younger kids allows them to play teacher and act as role models.

It is often through these types of relationships that they develop a better sense of empathy, a stronger ability to compromise and collaborate, and a sense of empowerment to solve more complex problems or navigate unique social situations.

Mixed-Age Play Impacts Kindness and Empathy

Research across different cultures shows that older children who have more contact with younger children tend to be kinder. And they are not just kinder to younger children but kinder to others overall.

When children play together in mixed age groups, they are constantly adjusting their behavior to meet the needs of the various ages in the group.

When this happens children change how they speak, how they act, and what they expect from others.

Little ones who would often have a hard time regulating their emotions might see the older kids dealing with similar disappointments and mimic how they are handling the situation.

Older kids, who might normally exhibit behaviors inappropriate for younger kids, will step up because they understand the importance of being a role model.

A Call to Action for Our Children

Our current society often very strictly segregates children by age. This means it is important for parents and caregivers to move to provide more opportunities for children to spend time with others of different age groups. This is something that places like daycares, nursery schools, and enrichment classes need to address.

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