I nstead, development occurs in stages, almost like steps. She further noted that within each stage of development there is a creative period of intense acquisition of skills or knowledge and then a calmer period of consolidation, i.e. absorbing and making that knowledge one’s own.
planes of development
Dr. Montessori defined 4 stages of development and labeled them as the 4 planes of development, noting that within these stages, the development is intense at the beginning, consolidates and then tapers to the next. The 1st and 3rd planes are periods of intense creation, while the 2nd and 4th planes are the calm periods of consolidation. Key to all the planes of development is the individual’s need for independence. This is expressed differently throughout the planes.
Each plane is approximately 6 years and has its own special characteristics as follows:
First Plane – Age 0 - 6 – Early Childhood (Individual Creation of the Person)
- Characterized by the “Absorbent Mind” in which the child’s mind is like a sponge, absorbing all that is in the environment.
- At age 0-3 this is unconscious
- Ate age 3-6 this is conscious
- Characterized by “Sensitive Periods” which include the intense need for:
- Order
- Language
- Refinement of the senses
- Movement
- Characterized by concrete thinking
- Construction of the physical person
- Fundamental formation of the character
- Physical independence – “I can do it myself!”
- The child wants to be free to work independently within a structured environment doing real activities with an intelligent purpose.
Second Plane – Age 6 – 12 – Childhood (Construction of the Intelligence)
- Characterized by reasoning with imagination and logic.
- Intense thirst for knowledge which is so great that if allowed, the child will seek exposure to many things that have been left to high school and college in the past.
- “Cosmic Education” – the child wants to know about the whole and his/her place within it and can appreciate the interconnectedness of all things and people.
- The “bridge” to abstraction – or the transition from concrete to abstract thinking
- Interested in learning about the universe – what is outside of the prepared environment.
- Intellectual independence – “I can “think it” myself”
Third Plane – Ages 12 – 18 Adolescence (Construction of Social Self)
- Characterized by self concern and self assessment.
- Critical thinking and re-evaluation.
- Transition period both physically and mentally.
- Beginning to try to find place in this world.
- Characterized by construction of social and moral values.
- “Erd Kinder” or “Children of the Land” – Dr. Montessori envisioned the child practicing for life in society by working together in a sort of hostel.
- Cultural development which has been ongoing is solidified in this plane.
- Financial Independence – “I can get it myself”.
Fourth Plane – Ages 18 – 24 and Beyond – Adulthood (Construction of Self Understanding)
- Characterized by construction of the spiritual.
- Conscious discernment of right and wrong.
- Seeking to know one’s own place within the world.
- Emotional Independence – “I can stand on my own”.
