Elementary
Ages 6 – 12
This plane of development is often call the period of the “reasoning mind” where the children explores the universe through their powers of reasoning, imagination, and abstract thought. The focus of the elementary child is both moral and intellectual independence where they desire to “think for myself”.
“The child's development follows a path of successive stages of independence ... We have to help the child to act, will and think for himself."
~Maria Montessori
COSMIC EDUCATION
In Montessori’s vision of elementary education, she wanted to provide the child with the overall big picture of the universe and then provide opportunities to explore the details. This big-picture approach was to utilize the child's growing power of imagination to spark both enthusiasm for learning and an excitement for further study. A cosmic view provides the child the opportunities to see the magnitude of the universe. Montessori called this cosmic viewpoint, showcasing the vastness of the universe, "Cosmic Education". Cosmic education was intended to serve the specific psychological needs of the elementary child. While the first plane child focuses on individual development; the second plane child has an outward construction of the individual in his relation to society and the world. This child needs to discover his place in society and come to understand his role in the universe. In order for the child to do so, he must first develop a picture of the universe to know his place within it.
UNLOckING the Keys to the universe
“If the idea of the universe be presented to the child in the right way, it will do more for him than just arouse his interest, for it will create in him admiration and wonder, a feeling loftier than any interest and more satisfying.”
~ Maria Montessori
