Photos: Solin Gets Some Help

While this series of photos highlight Solin’s work with shapes, Miro may be benefiting the most from this interaction. In Montessori’s mixed-age classroom, the elder child is able to work on their leadership and social skills, while modeling the proper use also allows them to develop a deeper understanding of the material. Studies have also shown that younger children are often more receptive to instruction from a peer, especially if it’s reinforcing a lesson they’ve already received from their guide.