Why it is important to complete a plane in Montessori

Dr. Maria Montessori observed that the child goes from infancy to adulthood through 4 evolutionary periods called "Planes of Development". Each period presents characteristics that are radically different from the other periods, but each of them constitutes the foundation for the next period to come. In her book, The Absorbent Mind, Montessori explained:

"In the same way, the caterpillar and the butterfly are two creatures very different to look at and in the way they behave, yet the beauty of the butterfly comes from its life in the larval form, and not through any efforts it may make to imitate another butterfly. We serve the future by protecting the present. The more fully the needs of one period are met, the greater will be the success of the next."

Like the life cycle of the caterpillar, we can’t halt or alter the process, we simply support it by following the natural progression of the child’s development. In the context of education, we take this natural principle of life and match the curriculum to the stage of the child’s development. We do this in order to spark the imagination and fully engage the intellect. 

So what does this theory mean in the context of planes?

The first plane of development that starts at birth and continues until the child is 6 years old is characterised by children's "absorbent mind", which takes and absorbs every aspect, good and bad, from the environment that surrounds him/her, its language and its culture. 

In the second plane, from 6 to 12 years old—the primary school years—the child possesses a "rational mind" to explore the world with imagination and abstract thinking.  Children at this age are driven to understand the universe and their place in it and their capacity to assimilate all aspects of culture is boundless. Primary school studies include geography, biology, history, language, mathematics in all its branches, science, music and art. Exploration of each area is encouraged through trips outside the classroom to community resources, such as library, planetarium, botanical garden, science centre, factories, hospitals etc. This inclusive approach to education fosters a feeling of connectedness to all humanity, and encourages their natural desire to make contributions to the world.

In the third plane, from 12 to 18 years old, the teenager has a "humanistic mind" which desires to understand humanity and to contribute to society. In the last plane of development, from 18 to 24 years old, the adult explores the world with a "specialist mind", finding his/her place in it.

For more resources about the Montessori Method and planes of development visit Montessori Australia or if you have time, read The Absorbent Mind.