THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF MIXED AGE EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN’S LEARNING

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) to explore advantages and disadvantages of mixed-age education, and 2) to propose effective strategies in dealing with problems arising through the implementation of mixed-age education. The sample used were 406 student from six kindergartens class in Shenzhen, including 202 three mixed-age kindergartens and 204 children in same-age kindergartens. The research tools used include: question questionnaire, and classroom observation. The finding of this study were: 1) the result from the study advantages and disadvantages of mixed-age education found the behavioral interactions among young children's peers are an important way for young children to socialize. The results of the treatment of young children's learning behaviors showed that the total learning behavior and its dimensions had the most positive results, followed by neutral results and very few negative results. Whereas there were no differences in the results of pro-social behavior and family environment in terms of differences in the way the classes were organized, the positive results were greater in the mixed-age classes than in the same-age classes in terms of personality traits. The behavioral outcomes in the same-age classes were more neutral outcomes. , the special characteristics of the mixed-age class are better for the development of boys' learning behaviors to a certain extent than that of the same age class. Second, on the basis of the well-developed gender identity, girls show more love and help to their younger siblings due to the age gap in the mixed-age classroom, and in the rare family environment, they are able to resolve conflicts more objectively due to their older role, give a good example to younger children, avoid positive conflicts between children, and integrate more naturally into the group in a family-like environment. Eliminate withdrawal behaviors of unfamiliar anxiety, 2) the result from the study propose effective strategies in dealing with problems arising through the implementation of mixed-age education found that in mixed-age classes, teachers ask older children to help take care of their younger siblings, and during this time, older children become more capable and younger children have role models, so they improve quickly. In the process of dealing with the personality traits of young children, giving full play to the special advantages of children in mixed-age classes and actively encouraging communication and processing among children themselves not only exercise their problem-solving skills, but also play a good developmental role in the improvement of their personality traits.