Montessori Philosophy: the Planes of Development
Montessori Philosophy: The Planes of Development
Most people’s idea of how children grow and develop is a steady continuous movement along a path from point A '' birth, to point B '' adulthood. Maria Montessori’s philosophy on how humans learn differs in that she believed learning for children and youth occurred as a series of waves or cycles. After years of observation, Montessori concluded there are four distinct planes of development that everyone must pass through on their way to adulthood: birth-6, 6-12, 12-18, and 18-24.
In each of the planes she believed that children and youth are drawn to different skills and activities and if they are provided with the opportunities to explore and practice them, children can make extraordinary progress. She also believed that the needs of each plane of development must be fully satisfied in order for the individual to pass into the next stage of development. Each human being is born with an internal or instinctual drive (which Montessori called the “horme”) which guides the developing child to seek out experiences which meet the needs of their stage of development.
The four planes of development are cyclical (each plane is characterized by a period of construction, followed by a period of consolidation), sequential (each plane builds upon the foundation laid by the previous one), and distinct (each plane of development provides the optimal time for learning in specific areas; the best time to learn a skill completely so that it forms part of the human being. Learning skills outside of these optimal times is less effective and more difficult for the child).
The First Plane: Birth to age 6
The first six years of life are marked by tremendous physical and psychological growth, exploration and development. This is the period of infancy, an unconscious period of development.
Physically, the body develops from head to toe. The child has a fragile immune system and is susceptible to illness.
Most people’s idea of how children grow and develop is a steady continuous movement along a path from point A '' birth, to point B '' adulthood. Maria Montessori’s philosophy on how humans learn differs in that she believed learning for children and youth occurred as a series of waves or cycles. After years of observation, Montessori concluded there are four distinct planes of development that everyone must pass through on their way to adulthood: birth-6, 6-12, 12-18, and 18-24.
In each of the planes she believed that children and youth are drawn to different skills and activities and if they are provided with the opportunities to explore and practice them, children can make extraordinary progress. She also believed that the needs of each plane of development must be fully satisfied in order for the individual to pass into the next stage of development. Each human being is born with an internal or instinctual drive (which Montessori called the “horme”) which guides the developing child to seek out experiences which meet the needs of their stage of development.
The four planes of development are cyclical (each plane is characterized by a period of construction, followed by a period of consolidation), sequential (each plane builds upon the foundation laid by the previous one), and distinct (each plane of development provides the optimal time for learning in specific areas; the best time to learn a skill completely so that it forms part of the human being. Learning skills outside of these optimal times is less effective and more difficult for the child).
The First Plane: Birth to age 6
The first six years of life are marked by tremendous physical and psychological growth, exploration and development. This is the period of infancy, an unconscious period of development.
Physically, the body develops from head to toe. The child has a fragile immune system and is susceptible to illness.