>> > > I showed your mail to my wife Shashi who is also deeply intersted in this. One > of her pet peeves is why children are rigidly clubbed by age in schools. > > I was reminded of a study (in the US I think) that showed how children born > in the first half of the year were on average better at sport than children > born in the second half of the year. The reason was that in a given class, > little children born earlier in a given year are just that much older and > physically bigger and stronger than children born later who are just a little > youner and smaller. When you are 6 years old, 6 or 7 months make a big > difference. > > The same holds true for learning other skills. But the education system is too > dumb to undertand. > My son's school, which is not that mainstream, has such activities. They have a mixed age group, the kids in nursery do stuff together during such sessions. Similarly class 1-4 get together, grouped by house colours, on projects. Recently each house did a project on some state of India, there was enormous effort put in by each kid over a month, and each child got to do and learn something; they presented it all one day, inviting all parents, showing off their creations and knowledge from weaving to food items to wildlife...I appreciate the teachers who mentored them..
I think Biju's right, there is a small but definite minority, that is changing. -Meera
