"This is the period when the seeds of everything can be sown. The child's mind is like a fertile field ready to germinate."

These are the words Dr. Maria Montessori used to describe the Elementary aged child. The Montessori approach to Elementary education has a strong philosophical stance as education for life. The philosophy follows the psychological and physical development of children this age.

A child is in the second plane of development between the ages of 6-12 years. There are certain psychological characteristics intrinsic to the child's development during this period.

SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS

The Elementary child wishes to be with friends nearly all the time. His passion is his peers and he wants to belong to a group.

MORAL CHARACTERISTICS

Rules, justice, and the order of society greatly interest this student. He is in the process of developing within and adapting to the society of other human beings. The child's personal world is getting larger, and he is very concerned with ethical issues.

INTELLECTUAL CHARACTERISTICS

The child is using reason and imagination to understand and visualize the interconnections of life. He wants to know why as well as what. He uses imagination to explore and construct the abstract world. The Elementary age child has the mark of a philosopher; wonder and excitement are intrinsic to his learning.

The Elementary child having "received culture and facts in the Primary Program is ready now to search for the interrelationship of things and to reach out with his reason." Dr. Maria Montessori, To Educate the Human Potential