5 Ways Small Group Settings Benefit Childcare Learning
Small group settings in early childhood education - 2 to 4 tamariki per group - help children grow socially and academically. Here’s why they work so well:
Personalised Support: Teachers can give tailored attention, adjust activities to each child’s needs, and build strong bonds.
Improved Social Skills: Tamariki learn cooperation, communication, and emotional understanding through group activities.
Focused Teacher Attention: Educators can track progress closely, use personalised teaching methods, and engage tamariki effectively.
Stronger Reading and Maths Skills: Small groups allow for targeted literacy and numeracy exercises, boosting confidence and participation.
School Readiness: Tamariki develop key skills - social, cognitive, language, and physical - that make the transition to primary school smoother.
Small groups create a nurturing space where tamariki feel supported, build confidence, and develop essential skills for their future.
Top 10 Small Group Time Questions Answered - What They Are, Why They're Important, and More!
1. One-on-One Learning Support
Small group settings provide a chance for tamariki to receive personalised attention that aligns with their individual needs and interests. In these smaller, more focused environments, educators can offer targeted guidance to help children gain confidence and develop new skills by:
Tailoring activities to suit each child's unique abilities and preferences
Giving immediate feedback and direction
Creating a nurturing and supportive learning atmosphere
Building strong emotional bonds
Research highlights that consistent encouragement and positive reinforcement play a crucial role in fostering academic growth, social development, and cognitive progress.
"Kids need personalized attention that meets them where they are in terms of their emotions and development. When we take the time to understand their unique needs, we give them the best possible start in life." - Caterpillar Care®
One of the standout advantages of one-on-one support in small groups is the ability to customise activities to a child's strengths while gently addressing areas for growth. For example, during an arts and crafts session, an educator might guide a child in refining their fine motor skills and exploring artistic creativity, all while keeping the learning process enjoyable and engaging.
Educators can create meaningful and impactful learning moments by:
Making consistent eye contact with each child
Using each child's name during conversations
Offering specific and thoughtful praise
Listening attentively to their ideas and thoughts
2. Better Social Skills Development
Small group activities play a crucial role in enhancing tamariki social skills by encouraging peer interaction, complementing the personalised support they receive in one-on-one settings. These smaller, more intimate environments help children:
Speak up and share their thoughts with confidence
Practise sharing and taking turns
Listen actively and communicate effectively
Develop emotional understanding and awareness
Engaging in structured group activities, like collaborative art projects or building tasks, promotes teamwork, compromise, and clear communication. A meta-analysis of 43 studies highlights notable improvements in social interactions and peer relationships within these settings.
"Having well-developed social skills helps children form healthy relationships with others. Having positive social relationships is associated with a number of positive outcomes, including improved mental health, resilience against stress, fostering empathy, and increased learning opportunities." - Taylor Dreher, PhD and Clinical Psychologist at Healthy Young Minds
Children attending high-quality early childhood centres that emphasise small group interactions often show stronger social skills, greater cooperation, and fewer behavioural challenges.
3. More Direct Teacher Attention
At Little Dinosaurs Childcare, the small group approach ensures that kaiako can give focused, individualised attention to each tamariki. According to research from the Education Endowment Foundation, small group tuition can result in an average of four additional months of progress within a year. This setup allows for tailored teaching methods, as outlined below.
With fewer children in a group, teachers can:
Observe and respond to individual learning styles.
Monitor developmental milestones closely.
Build stronger and more meaningful relationships with tamariki.
Create personalised and engaging learning experiences.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children suggests that groups of two to four tamariki are ideal for maximising learning opportunities.
The following strategies highlight how this personalised attention benefits tamariki:
Structured Learning Time: Small group sessions are carefully planned to ensure every child receives focused attention and guidance.
Personalised Support: Kaiako create detailed learner profiles, identifying each child's strengths, challenges, and interests to design activities that promote growth.
Active Engagement: Teachers use encouraging language and take a genuine interest in each child's experiences, creating an environment where tamariki feel valued.
This increased attention goes beyond academics. By receiving tailored support, children gain confidence, develop curiosity, and stay engaged in their learning journey. This thoughtful approach ensures that every tamariki feels supported and empowered to thrive during their early education.
4. Focus on Reading and Math Skills
Small groups are a fantastic way to strengthen reading and maths skills. Research shows that small-group learning has an effect size of 0.46 - higher than the average of 0.42. This highlights its strong impact and sets the foundation for focused, effective teaching.
Interestingly, studies suggest that children in small-group maths programmes make gains equal to about two-and-a-half months of extra learning. One of the standout benefits of this approach is the supportive environment it creates, where tamariki feel at ease to share their thoughts, boosting both their confidence and participation.
To maximise learning, kaiako employ a variety of effective techniques:
Story-based maths problems tied to everyday experiences
Interactive games that blend counting with literacy
Creative STEM projects combining art with numerical skills
Peer-to-peer learning for collaborative growth
Group problem-solving sessions to spark discussion
Hands-on activities that simplify abstract ideas
"Literacy skills do not just develop overnight"
Kaiako keep a close eye on each child's progress, providing timely support as needed. This personalised approach ensures steady development in both literacy and numeracy, equipping tamariki with the skills they need for future success.
5. School Preparation Success
Preparing tamariki for the transition to primary school works best in small group settings. Research shows that children in these environments can make four months' progress in a single year - a compelling reason to prioritise this approach when planning school readiness activities.
At Little Dinosaurs Childcare, we use small groups to focus on the key skills needed for a successful start to primary school.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) also highlights the value of small group learning, recommending pairs or groups of up to four to maximise learning opportunities. By working in these settings, tamariki develop teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills - important building blocks for a smooth transition to school life.
Conclusion
Small group settings in early childhood education offer a powerful way to enhance both academic and social skills, as research highlights their effectiveness in fostering development.
This approach reflects the personalised, socially engaging, and academically enriching methods we've explored throughout this discussion. At Little Dinosaurs Childcare, we've seen firsthand how small group learning captivates tamariki, helping them develop critical skills in a supportive environment. By combining teacher-guided lessons with child-led exploration, we ensure every child builds a strong foundation for school and beyond.
In fact, 77% of New Zealand primary schools report that children transitioning from ECE programmes with a focus on small group learning show noticeable social and emotional benefits.
The evidence is clear: small group learning creates the perfect environment for tamariki to thrive. With thoughtful activities and a nurturing atmosphere, children gain the confidence, skills, and curiosity they need to embrace their educational journey and develop a lifelong love of learning.
FAQs
How do small group settings help children improve their reading and maths skills?
Small group settings work wonders for boosting children's reading and maths skills. Why? Because they offer personalised attention and focused teaching. Teachers can tweak lessons to match each child's learning style, making sure everyone has the chance to understand and master key concepts.
In maths, these groups create a space for team-based problem-solving and peer learning. Kids can share ideas, support each other, and grow their confidence. When it comes to reading, small groups are perfect for activities like phonics drills and comprehension tasks, which help lay a solid foundation for literacy.
This method doesn’t just sharpen academic abilities - it also builds self-assurance and fosters stronger social bonds, paving the way for long-term growth and success.
How can parents support the benefits of small group learning at home?
Parents can build on the advantages of small group learning by introducing activities at home that promote teamwork and communication. Simple yet effective ideas include group storytelling, playing cooperative games, or even working together on tasks like baking. These activities encourage children to practise sharing ideas, working as a team, and tackling challenges together.
Everyday moments can also become learning opportunities. For instance, counting while measuring ingredients or observing plants and insects during a walk can reinforce concepts children encounter in childcare. Staying in touch with your child’s educators to discuss their progress can help you tailor these activities to complement what they’re learning in their small group setting. This creates a seamless connection between home and childcare learning environments.
By sharing these experiences, parents not only help their child develop essential skills but also build stronger bonds and foster confidence in a fun, interactive way.
How do small group settings support a child's social and emotional growth, and why is this important for their future development?
Small group settings provide children with opportunities to build social and emotional skills through meaningful peer interactions. Within these smaller environments, kids practise communicating, sharing, and working together. This process helps them develop empathy, manage emotions effectively, and resolve conflicts. These interactions also foster a sense of belonging and boost their confidence in forming and maintaining relationships.
Learning these social-emotional skills early is a key ingredient for long-term success. These abilities not only enhance academic performance but also equip children to handle challenges, adapt to changes, and build positive connections throughout their lives. Small group settings play a vital role in shaping the personal and professional paths children will take in the future.
