Children are surrounded by the concept of age. They are often separated into age groups in childcare, adults often ask children how old they are, and birthdays are significant events in the early years.
Children may be learning that older people have more rights and opportunities. They may talk about their age and judge other children because of their age.
Early childhood educators can follow this topic to teach children about growing up, time, diversity and maths. Also, specific age groups can be explored: babies, children, adults and elderly people.
Early Years Learning Framework
When children know how old they are, they strengthen their sense of identity (1.3). An understanding of age also shows numeracy abilities (5).
Early childhood educators can use this interest under the EYLF to promote respect for diversity (2.2). Children learn to show care, empathy and respect (1.4) when they interact with people of different ages (4.4).
Learning experiences
Make a graph
Teach children to record information in their world:
- Create a bar graph to show how many children in the group are of a certain age.
- Print and cut out a photo of each child.
- Glue their picture in the column for their age.
- Count the number of children in each column.
Play a circle game
Teach counting, numbers and age during a quick circle time activity. Each child has a turn to say their name, how old they are, and give the number of claps for their age. E.g. "I am Sophia, I am five years old" (five claps).
Visit different rooms
Rooms in childcare centres can exist in isolation from each other. Bring children of different age groups together for shared learning experiences. Here are some examples:
- Every day, a different preschool child visits the baby room for 20 minutes in the afternoon. They help the babies with a fun experience like cooking or painting.
- Once a month, toddler and preschool rooms open their dividing walls and share a play space. The day is pre-planned with learning experiences that suit both age groups.
- All of the babies are sleeping except one. An educator carries this child in her arms to visit other rooms, just to say hello.
Learning environments
Use diverse resources
Reflect on your learning resources. Do they feature people from diverse age groups? Are the people stereotyped by their age? Talk to children about the people featured in your resources and start conversations about age, diversity and inclusion.
Try family grouping
Some childcare services use a family grouping model which blends children of different ages, rather than separating them. This resembles a family environment and allows siblings and cousins to spend their days together. Read about family grouping (also known as a multi-age model or mixed-age grouping) on The Spoke.
Interactions
Are you sending inclusive messages about age? Adults frequently emphasise children's age and praise them for getting "bigger" or getting ready for "big school". When interacting with children, speak positively about all age groups, especially babies and toddlers. Praise children's achievements without reference to size or age.
The EYLF says, "being recognises the significance of the here and now in children's lives... The early childhood years are not solely preparation for the future but also about the present."
Discussions
Explain what age means
A child may know she is three, but not understand why she is three. Ask children if they know what age means. If they don't, explain it is the number of years since they were born.
What is a year? Extend this topic with learning experiences about the sun, earth and space.
Ask questions
- Is it okay to play with friends who are a different age to you?
- What do you like about being four?
- Do you remember being in the toddler room? What was your favourite thing to do in that room?
- What is something babies are really good at?