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 This idea of separating children by age has been made increasingly stark through our current (yet completely outdated) education system.
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 This idea of separating children by age has been made increasingly stark through our current (yet completely outdated) education system.
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.
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:
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.
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.
A Call to Action for Our ChildrenOur 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