What Is Montessori? Part 2

Mixed -Age Classroom & Classroom Size

Another key element of a Montessori classroom is that of mixed ages.   Montessori groups children by three-year developmental planes: nursery, pre-K and kindergarten; first, second and third grade; fourth, fifth and sixth grade, etc. These divisions are based on the observation that while children in different planes learn dramatically differently and have very different interests and abilities, children in the same plane tend to learn in similar ways and have similar interests.   

By grouping together multiple ages from the same plane, several benefits occur.  For one, children are more likely to listen and understand an explanation by one of their peers. Furthermore, since any one student may be stronger relative to one student but weaker relative to another, they learn to appreciate the value of helping each other without being coerced or feeling taken advantage of.   Each student has the opportunity to both feel proud of himself for helping those in need and also get to experience benefiting from the help of others, which encourages a culture of mutual care, support and respect. Another benefit comes from the opportunity to watch older students attempt new challenges.  No child is impressed by a teacher’s ability to read or complete some other challenging tasks, but when a peer who couldn’t perform that task a short time ago suddenly learns to do it, younger children notice and feel inspired to take on that challenge themselves.    

Interestingly, the size of the class, although not a defining characteristic of Montessori, is also an important one.   In a Montessori classroom, as many as 30 students is optimal.  Since learning is in the hands of the students and the teacher is released from a frontal performing role, more students create more opportunities to learn from and with each other while the teacher is free to be more supportive and create a vital connection with students.