Why teach different age groups in different classes?

Why have different classes for different age groups?

I have had quite a few people question me about why I insist on having different classes for different age groups. It is simple: we separate age groups because children grow in levels or stages, and every level has an experience of its own. It is important to teach a child at the level or stage they are in because you can relate to them, and when we relate to them, then and only then can we reach them. Imagine with me. Imagine you were six years old, and I took you to youth class and expected you to understand everything that went on in there………….am sure it must be hard for you to imagine. This is why different classes for different age groups are important.

I remember working with a particular congregation for the first time, and they had sixteen-year-olds', five-year-olds', ten-year-olds', and toddlers alllllllll yes, alllllllll in one class. The SCHOCK, the HORROR. They were blessed with such a huge space and could utilise different classes for Sunday school; the only problem wasssssssss that they had one teacher, and I was the new teacher. I had a challenge in my hands; I didn’t mind getting my hands sticky.

I tried things out for a month because I wanted to understand how things were done around here. When I taught, the sixteen-year-olds would challenge my teachings, and they made SURE the children wouldn’t listen to me. I sat them down one Sunday after class, made them understand that they had no place being at Sunday school, that they had to be at youth, and the trouble they were causing in class, we agreed they’d hit the road like Jack and never come back no more.

Unfortunately, I created a big mess. The parent of one of the sixteen-year-olds was unhappy that I CHASED her sixteen-year-old son out of Sunday school, and she was never to congregate with us unless the teacher left or I accepted her son back to Sunday school. She left.

Characteristics of different age groups:

Characteristics of babies:

·       They can't sit up straight just yet; they lay or crawl.

·       Put everything in their mouth.

·       They don’t have vocal abilities as yet; they make sounds.

·       They do not have a full understanding of the world and their surroundings.

·       They can only focus on one thing at a time: 2–3 minutes of concentration.

 

Characteristics of toddlers:

·       Move around; you can’t sit still for long periods of time.

·       Are becoming aware of themselves and their surroundings.

·       Have a great desire to explore new objects and people.

·       They can be shy at times.

·       They can be wild and spirited.

·       They are easily startled by loud sounds and noises.

·       They don’t have a strong vocabulary as yet; they can speak, but not as well as a 6- or 7-year-old.

·       They do not have a large memory capacity as yet; their concentration is 4-6 minutes.

 

Characteristics of a 3- to 4-year-old:

·       They are beginning to learn that other people are real and have feelings.

·       May easily be startled by loud sounds and noises.

·       Easily amused, they love finding silly situations or words.

·       Love to repeat what they have learned.

·       They are eager to please parents and teachers.

 

Characteristics of a 5- to 6-year-old:

·       They are slowly becoming independent.

·       Love to socialise with those of the same age group and gender.

·       Love having conversations and proving their intelligence.

·       They have, at this point, improved their physical abilities.

 

Characteristics of a 7-8-year-old:

·       Proud sense of being able to do things on their own.

·       They enjoy proving they are grown up every chance they get.

·       At this point, being socially acceptable to their peers is a huge deal.

·       Learning to cooperate and share.

·       Learning to put others first.

 

Characteristics of a 9- to 10-year-old:

·       More independent.

·       More socially aware; peer pressure starts kicking in.

·       Strong sense of self-awareness and self-worth.

 

Characteristics of an 11- to 12-year-old:

·       They are at a highly emotional phase in their lives.

·       Some start doubting their self-worth and become more self-conscious.

·       High influence from peers.

·       They want to explore and experience more at this stage; they have the “WHY?” and “HOW?”  Questions that need to be answered.

 

Based on the different characteristics and stages or levels they experience in their respective age groups, It is important that we have different classes for different age groups; it makes it easier for a teacher to teach and relate to the children. She can then gauge and try to understand the characteristics of her learners based on their different age groups, and assisting them with any troubles they face can be easier. Catering to their emotional, mental, and any type of need will be easier. Different ages, different classes, and different teachers for every class.