Montessori Radmoor

There are four planes of development. They range from birth to twenty four years of age. I would like to talk about the first plane of development which is from birth to six years. This is the period of the absorbent mind. The child in this period takes in everything around him in his environment. It doesn’t matter if it is good or bad, the child takes it in. This is why it’s so important to prepare your child’s environment and give him freedom to explore it. The child explores everything through his senses. When a child is between the age of one and two, you might notice that he puts everything in his mouth. This is him exploring through his senses. From birth to three a child is absorbing everything. From age three to six, the child is still absorbing but also refining language and movements. It’s amazing what a child learns in the first three years. Think about a newborn tracking with his eyes or the first time he rolls over. When a child says his first word we are all amazed. In these first three years the child is creating himself and from three to six years the child is refining all the movements he’s learned. He is refining those movements through practice and repetitive work. You might see your child working on the same puzzle or shape sorter over and over. He needs to do this in order to learn and master the work. It is so crucial we recognize the importance of this first plane of development and what part we play.

Whether you are a parent, a teacher or a neighbor, being an advocate for these children is important. Giving young children opportunities and treating them with respect is so important to help them create the person they will become. Let’s talk about respect for a minute. What does that mean? Respect isn’t giving them everything or doing things for them. Respect is listening and watching for what your child needs. It’s letting your child do things by himself. Let him walk by himself and you will see him walk with a purpose. Take the time to let him flip his coat on and try to zip it. See how happy it makes him feel. Take the time to follow your child instead of him following you. What does he need? What does he like to explore? Respect is more than loving a child. Stop and think about what you like or dislike. Do you like people in your space or someone telling you what to do all the time? Respect is giving choices and freedom within limits. Your child is in the first plane of development. He is changing and growing every day. Give him every opportunity to work on that development by letting him do things for himself and not doing it for him. Independence leads to confidence. Adults need to follow the child, to see where his development is going, and what his needs are, in order for him to gain his independence and become the confident child we want him to be.

Sincerely,

Kristy

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