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Cosmic Education

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What on Earth is a Cosmic Education? If you are looking into Montessori education for your 6- to 12-year-old child (Montessori referred to this age as the “second plane of development”), you will likely hear the term “Cosmic Education.” So, what on Earth does this far-out phrase really mean? As with her educational method for younger children, Dr. Montessori developed the second plane curriculum by observing children and identifying exactly what their specific developmental needs are at this age. Montessori’s observations led to the development of what she called Cosmic Education. Start with the Big Picture Cosmic Education starts with the whole, (i.e. the universe), and works toward the parts, (i.e. individual cultures, history, geography, life forms, etc.). This gives the child a foundational sense of perspective. Within the big picture of the universe, everything the child learns is connected. Children can use this big picture perspective to mentally organize new inf...
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How to recognise and Support Sensitive Periods in Your Child's Development

How to Recognise and Support Sensitive Periods in Your Child’s Development The phrase ‘sensitive periods’ often conjures up thoughts of moody teenagers, but it actually refers to a period of time when a child’s interests are focused on developing a particular skill or knowledge area. According to Montessori Theory, the most important sensitive periods occur between birth and age six. In other pedagogies, sensitive periods are commonly referred to as windows of opportunity or developmental milestones. During their first six years of life, children move through five main categories of sensitive periods, including: order, language, sensory skills, movement, and social skills. Each sensitive period lasts for as long as it is necessary for a child to complete a particular stage in their development. These periods of special sensitivity are only temporary and fade once the aim is accomplished. Recognising sensitive periods in your child’s development may be easier than you think. Have...
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Four Planes of Development

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by Anne Prowant, Children's House Guide No matter where you are in your Montessori journey—whether you are a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the method—tackling Maria Montessori’s theories of developmental psychology is never an easy task. Translated from Italian and written in flowery language typical of the early 20th century, her writings can be difficult to understand, to say the least. But fear not! I’m here to break down Montessori’s theory of human development, called the Planes of Development, into bite-sized pieces for you. Hopefully, you’ll come away with a deeper understanding of your child—and possibly even a deeper understanding of yourself. Read on to learn more or click on the links below to read about a particular plane of development: The First Plane: Birth to Age 6 (Early Childhood)   The Second Plane: Ages 6–12 (Childhood) The Third Plane: Ages 12–18 (Adolescence) The Fourth Plane: Ages 18–24 (Maturity) The Planes of Development The Four Pl...
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Mario Montessori

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Mario Montessori From the writings of Mario Montessori’s daughter, Marilena Henny – Montessori: Mario Montessori - a simple man, an innocent man. An extremely generous man, a shy man, an exuberant man. A contemplative man, but an active man. A man who loved life passionately and remained young till the day he died. He loved the earth; what was hidden in it; what lived and grew on it. He loved the sky, the sun, the clouds, the moon and the stars. He loved the wind, the storms and the sea. He loved to fight the elements. He loved to ride, to row and to swim. Always impeccably groomed, he liked good clothes, and as a young man sported spats and hats and fancy waistcoats. He loved giving extravagant presents - never one rose but at least sixty! He loved food; he loved to cook; he loved to drink and smoke. He loved pretty girls, music and song: there was nothing ascetic about him, though he chose to live an ascetic life. He was a born teacher. He loved children and e...
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The First Casa dei Bambini

The First Casa dei Bambini San Lorenzo, 1907 The first Montessori environment was opened on the 6 January 1907 in San Lorenzo, Italy, by Dr Maria Montessori. Through Dr Montessori's observations and work with these children she discovered their astonishing, almost effortless ability to learn. Children taught themselves! This simple but profound truth formed the cornerstone of her life-long pursuit of educational reform. The following is a summary of a talk by Dr. Maria Montessori to her students on the 6th January 1942, celebrating the anniversary of the inauguration day of the first House of Children: Today is the anniversary of the opening of the first House of Children. When I tell you briefly how it started, the few words of its history will seem like a fairy-tale, but their message may also prove useful. Many times people ask with doubt in their minds whether the method is suitable for poor children and whether it is at all adaptable to them. In order tha...
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Timeline of Dr. Maria Montessori's life

Timeline of Dr Maria Montessori's Life 1870 Maria Montessori born on August 31 in Chiaravalle, Ancona province, Italy. Attends a boys’ school in Rome, with a science/engineering emphasis. 1890 Against opposition from her father, she pursues her wish to become a doctor. 1896 Becomes the first woman to obtain a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Rome. Represents Italy at the International Women’s Congress in Berlin; delivers address on rights of working women, including equal pay for equal work. Studies the writings of French doctors Itard and Séguin, who worked with disabled children. 1897-98 Audits courses in pedagogy at the University of Rome; reads all major works in educational philosophy over the past 200 years. 1899 Attends women’s congress in London; received by Queen Victoria. 1899-1906 Lectureship in hygiene and anthropology at the teacher training college for women in Rome. 1900 Works at the psychiatric clinic in Ro...
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Biography of Dr. Maria Montessori

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Biography of Dr. Maria Montessori  Maria Montessori was born on the 31st August 1870 in the town of Chiaravalle, Italy. Her father, Alessandro, was an accountant in the civil service, and her mother, Renilde Stoppani, was well educated and had a passion for reading. The Montessori family moved to Rome in 1870 and in 1871 the young Montessori girl enrolled in the local state school. Breaking conventional barriers from the beginning of her education, Maria initially had aspirations to become an engineer.  When Maria Montessori graduated secondary school, she became determined to enter medical school and become a doctor. Despite her parents’ encouragement to enter teaching, Maria wanted to enter the male-dominated sphere of medicine. After initially being refused entry, Maria was eventually given entry to the University of Rome in 1890, becoming the first woman to enter medical school in Italy. Despite facing many obstacles due to her gender, Montessori qualifie...
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