I am currently able to observe the immense benefits a younger child can gain from coming into close contact with older siblings and "mentors". I have two older boys who are aged 9 and 7 and who would usually be attending the same school together; they have an incredibly strong bond and are in constant competition with each other. Our two younger children, born within 9 minutes of each other, are now spending every day in close proximity to their older brothers and they are learning and imitating so much. Of course, I have to admit that a lot of what they are imitating is not necessarily what I had hoped for at their age, prior to starting their own schooling in September since there is a lot of Minecraft, TV, Star Wars and iPad use, which is heavily affecting their choice of words and conversations. However, the vocabulary and communication skills my children are developing as a result of interacting with their older and younger siblings is impressive to me as a mother and also as a teacher.
From a mother's perspective, it is beautiful to see siblings sharing and playing together, as well as conversing with their own little dialects! I do wonder which of my sons or daughter is benefiting the most from the extended exposure to each other. I expect it is my younger children, yet the chance to have admiration from your younger siblings throughout the day must be good for my eldest's ego!
From a teacher's perspective, I strongly believe that what we see at home with younger-aged learning from older-aged children can, should and eventually must be replicated within school settings. The chance to vertically collaborate would be highly beneficial to students, for example in primary who could develop role models in their older peers. Older students, both in upper primary and lower secondary would be able to practice and develop excellent skills through "teaching" to their younger peers. I am interested to explore this further. Watch this space!
Christina Francis-Gilbert
