Bristow Montessori School
"The Buzz" - January 2017
The Four Planes of Child Development
Happy New Year! I hope this year finds everyone healthy, well rested, and ready for the next part of the school year!
This month's topic in the Montessori Lens is "The Four Planes of Child Development", as identified by Dr. Montessori. It reflects upon the maturation of the child over the course of his entire childhood.
I hope you find it interesting and useful. Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss any of the contents of the articles. I look forward to answering any of your questions or comments.
The first plane of development is from birth to 6 years of age. This plane is dominated by motor and language acquisition. Sensitivity to sensorial experiences and an internal need for order and routine are characteristic of this plane. Students in this first plane of development flourish in the carefully prepared environment , which lends itself to nurturing freedom of movement and spontaneous activity. The exploration of the environment through sensory and "concrete" experiences permits the child to self- construct his innate potential.
The second plane of development is from 6 to 9 years of age. The child of this plane has great imagination and possesses the ability to entertain and grasp abstract ideas. This child is influenced by a growing sense of moral awareness, a desire for cultural knowledge and a compelling motivation to understand how the world around him works and why. This age child is typically highly social and aware of group culture. Cosmic education provides the opportunity to fulfill the needs of the student by opening a gateway into a multitude of paths of discovery. There is little risk of boredom for this age child as he is free to take control of his interests and pursue topics as they strike his imagination. Through his study of the physical world, History, Zoology and Botany, experimentation through science and exposure to world literature the child learns about his place in the world. He is free to travel intellectually through time and space, classifying and ordering vast amounts of information with ease and enthusiasm.
The third plane of development is from 12 to 18 years of age. Dr. Montessori referred to this stage as the "Erdkinder". This plane is hallmarked by great physical change and development. At this stage the connection to the Earth holds great meaning for young people. Students develop their potential through exercises in self- sufficiency, building and maintaining strong social bonds, self-governing, meaningful work and finding financial means of independence in the adult world.
The fourth plane of development is from 18 to 24 years of age.This plane is characterized by spiritual growth, personal direction in life and seeking meaningful connections to others. Many external temptations pose challenges to the young adult and inner peace and the progress of the individual's development throughout each stage of growth now come to his aid in coping with, and managing decisions matured from past experiences.
In service,
Anita Ercole
Reminder: We are open on Inauguration Day, Friday, January 20, 2017 even though PWCS are closed.
Inclement Weather Policy
In all events, BMS will communicate any potential closures via email and FB by 9:00 p.m. the evening prior, to confirm the school decision. BMS has a closed FB page. If you are not already a member, please inquire to join in order to receive updates.
School Wellness Policy
Extra Cold Weather Clothes
Outdoor Fun At Last! Hooray!
Check Out Our Winter Wonderland Windows!
Ms. Hoshika/Ms. Sheeza
Room 102
Ms. Sabina/Ms. Kristen
Room 105
Ms. Mary/Ms. Patricia
Room 103
Catered Lunch Option
Program Schedules
Tuition is due by the first of each month.
Parent Advisory Committee
We are so grateful to the members of our Parent Advisory Committee for all their help in planning events and providing vital feedback to the school about topics parents are interested in. These parents contribute in many ways with their time, resources and expertise. They are your parent representatives and look forward to hearing from you if you have matters of concern or great ideas to share that can improve the experience for families and students at our school. If you are interested in participating with this community in the future, please let us know.
Current Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) members: Jennifer McCarthy (Joey and Juliet- 105), Camille Baker (Leili- 109), Susan Givens (Silas- 108), Amy Dorn (Mace- 109), Amy Hinds (Gabrielle- 103), Jessica Balmos (Knox- 109), Jessica Struve (Owen & Waverly- 102), Katie Lane (Camden & Charlotte- 105), Mia Leone (Leo- 103), Liz Noel (Emma- 108), Niki Weinberg (Parker- 108), and Shoshani Dike (Solomon- 108) and our newest member Sam Mudge (Julia 108 & Jared 101).
BMS Community Businesses
We are proud to showcase any of our BMS Community companies and hope that we can all benefit from buying and supporting local business! We will gladly pass on your recommendations. Thanks for all your support!
Long and Foster Realtor
Dog Boarding and Training
The Philly Tavern
Contact Us
Email: info@bristowmontessori.com
Website: www.bristowmontessori.com
Location: 9050 Devlin Road, Bristow, VA, United States
Phone: 703-468-1191
Facebook: FaceBook.com/BristowMontessoriSchool