Research Highlight: May 2022

How preschool experiences vary for 4-year-olds based on the ages of classmates

Having children ages 3, 4, and 5 all in one preschool classroom is common. Research shows that in these mixed-aged classrooms older children can impact younger children’s learning and development. This study examined the engagement experiences of 895 4-year-olds enrolled in these types of classrooms. They found that 4-year-olds with more younger classmates experienced less positive engagement with their teachers, such as emotional connection, interaction, and communication. This led to smaller vocabulary gains throughout the year. When 4-year-olds had more older classmates, they were less likely to have negative engagements in the classroom, such as conflict with peers and teachers.