The Leadership Ladder: How Mixed-Age Play Building Confidence & Influence

In this video, Dr. Alan E. Nelson, Ed.D. offers parents information and best practices on the power of mixed-age activities in develop leadership skills of the younger and older children.

Did you know that your child’s leadership skills could be stuck in a bubble?
We tend to organize kids’ activities by age—classrooms, sports teams, even playdates. But here’s the problem: same-age groups limit leadership opportunities. When kids only interact with peers at their level, they miss out on learning from older role models and guiding younger ones.
That’s where mixed-age play comes in.
Studies show that kids who play and learn in multi-age groups develop 30% more advanced social-emotional skills and are 40% more likely to display leadership abilities as teens. Why? Because older kids step into leadership naturally, and younger ones rise to the challenge by observing and learning.
In our latest KidLead Academy video, I explain why mixed-age play is a leadership goldmine and how you can apply this at home—even if your child’s daily life is structured around same-age peers.

Inside, you’ll discover:
✔️ Why same-age groups stifle leadership growth
✔️ The science-backed benefits of mixed-age interactions
✔️ Practical ways to create these experiences at home
If you want your child to stand out—not just academically, but as a future leader—this is a must-watch.
Let’s break the same-age bubble and give our kids the leadership advantage they deserve.
For info on KidLead Academy, the world's best parenting course (if you want to develop leaders), go to www.kidlead.com/kla