Mixed-age groups also provide older children with more leadership opportunities than they would have in same age groups where natural leaders tend to dominate. This is helpful for the less socially adept child who can be the leader when interacting with younger students. For younger children, mixed-age groups provide opportunities to participate in more complex play and social interactions. What children can do with assistance is generally more advanced than what they can do by themselves. More opportunities and support for cooperative, positive behavior has been shown to increase children s social skills and boost their self-confidence.
Multiage education is based on the model of the family.
Traditionally, most learning occurred within the family as the different members taught each other the skills and knowledge necessary for successful living in society. The main feature of this model for learning is that the older, more accomplished family members teach the younger, less accomplished members forming a continuous cycle of learning. The younger members of the family know that they can depend on their elders for good examples and instruction. They also realize that as they mature they will master certain tasks and assume the role of teacher to the next younger members of the family. In the traditional family, it is not assumed that one member knows and can teach everything to everyone else.