Child Care at Its Best – Caring for Mixed Age Children

Presented by Child Care at Its Best

Unlike many childcare settings, family childcare homes and some center-based care settings integrate children of different ages. This interaction results in greater opportunities for children to form friendships and relationships than they could have in a group of same-age children. Mixed-age settings provide children with opportunities to observe, emulate and initiate skills and behaviors that can be monitored in a safe and developmentally appropriate manner.
Participants will engage in:

• The role of the adult as a careful planner
• Theoretical frameworks that support the importance of play
• Setting up a safe place for all ages to learn and grow
• Strategies to benefit mixed age children in a group setting