Mixed age group system in a school or day care has many benefits. They are able to learn faster looking at the older child and 
they start behaving like the older child; of course, there is the limitation of copying the older child in the negative aspects also, for example, picking up bad language from the older group. To avoid this the mixed age group system should have a greater strength of teachers for supervision who allow the children to mingle and play in their presence.
This is also the reason siblings with less of age difference between them grow up together and the little one often imitating the older one. Of course fights between them also is common and as long as the relationship is a healthy one, there is scope for mutual bonding and learning.
Families can also have mixed age group children playing in their flats or parks but supervision of the same is very important. Among girl children there is a lot of ‘caring’ for the little child, where as boys are less patient in teaching the game or their schedule to the younger child. Over a period of time with gentle guidance from the teacher or mother the situation in such cases can be changed for the better.
—MRS.NAIK
