Did you know that your child changes in rather fundamental ways about the time his or her teeth fall out?  This process is called many things, including reaching the “age of reason”, and typically occurs between the ages of 5 ½ and 7 years of age.  Montessori called this entering the second plane of development, which can be observed in a developing child between the ages of 6-12.  We have a number of children who are moving into the second Plane of Development at IMS, as evidenced by their changing behaviours and needs.  Typically, as children begin to change, IMS, along with other Montessori schools the world over provide opportunities for the child to begin interfacing with the elementary classroom, starting with very minimal interactions and proceeding based on teacher, child and parent observations to longer visits which occur more frequently.  Due to the overlap in the curriculum in terms of academics, the timing of the move to Elementary is more about personal change leading to more social learning and willingness to accept a greater level of responsibility and academic challenge, rather than purely academic achievement level.  Reading is an important part of the elementary curriculum, and the child is not ready for the complete transition into Elementary until reading skills are strong. 

First Plane of Development

Kindergarten-Primary Child

(Ages 3-6)

• Great physical growth:  coordinating body movements

• Credulous:  must deal with reality

• Loves to repeat…and repeat

• Needs details to build overview

• Absorbs everything

• Process-oriented

• Concrete

• Order and organization is primary goal

• Ego Centred – likes to work independently

• Loves beauty

• Works and obeys out of love

• Developing independence and self-reliance

• Attached to family and environment

• Needs protection and non-interference

• Needs model of movement and order

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