Why Small-Group Learning Works Better Than Large Classrooms
In today’s classrooms, teachers work incredibly hard to support diverse learners, but large class sizes can make individualized attention challenging. As a result, many families are turning to small-group learning environments to supplement school-based instruction and help their children build confidence and academic skills.
Small-group learning provides students with a more personalized, focused, and supportive educational experience. With fewer students per instructor, teachers can better understand each child’s strengths, challenges, and learning style. This allows for targeted instruction, immediate feedback, and meaningful connections that are often difficult to achieve in larger classroom settings.
Research consistently shows that students benefit academically and socially when they learn in smaller groups. Children are more likely to participate, ask questions, and take risks when they feel seen and supported. This environment helps reduce anxiety, builds confidence, and encourages active engagement in learning.
In Ontario classrooms, where class sizes can be large and curriculum expectations are high, small-group learning can be an effective way to reinforce key concepts in literacy and numeracy. Students who receive additional support in a small-group setting often demonstrate improved understanding, stronger foundational skills, and greater motivation.
Beyond academics, small-group environments also foster important social skills. Students learn to collaborate, communicate, and support one another in a structured, guided setting. These experiences help build leadership skills, empathy, and confidence that extend beyond the classroom.
At Humberwood Academy, small-group learning is at the core of our camps and tutoring programs. Our OCT-certified teachers intentionally keep group sizes small to ensure every student receives individualized attention. Lessons are designed to align with the Ontario curriculum while incorporating hands-on activities, movement, and collaborative learning experiences.
By blending academic instruction with engaging activities, we create an environment where students feel supported, challenged, and motivated. Our approach helps students strengthen key skills while developing a positive relationship with learning.
Small-group learning is not about replacing classroom education, it is about enhancing it. When students receive focused support in a smaller setting, they gain confidence, reinforce foundational skills, and develop the tools they need for long-term success.
At Humberwood Academy, we believe that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. Small-group learning allows us to do just that, helping students grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
