The First Plane of Development: Birth to Age 6 – Montessori Philosophy
Most modern educational philosophy centers around the theory that growth, development, and learning occur on a steady linear continuum from birth to early adulthood. Montessori philosophy on how humans learn differs in some key ways: Maria Montessori believed learning for children and youth occurred in waves.
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. If provided with the opportunities to explore and practice these skills, children can make extraordinary progress. Read on to learn more about why the first plane of development is such an important time for your child.
