Senior Primary Phase
 
9-12 year olds
 
Social relationships and moral justice
 
Montessori said we must give the 9-12 year olds the universe. We must plant the seeds of the child’s own culture and of all humanity, so that he might see himself in relation to not only his own interest, but to the society at large.
 
Stage of Development: Reasoning, Imagining and Abstract Mind
 
According to Montessori, this is the period in the life of an individual when he has the greatest interest in and capacity for cultural intake.
 
The directresses present the subjects to groups or to the assembled class. The emphasis is on discussion, debate and co-operation.
 
The students and adults have a close intellectual and emotional bond which develops during the lessons. A tremendous amount of respect and trust is generated between the students and directresses.
 
Cosmic Education is the backbone of the curriculum. It is the linking of all the subjects according to a specific theme.
The children are encouraged to research topics which interest them and prepare a presentation. This is the age of abstract thought and the imagination is used as a tool for creativity.

The child’s social needs are met through outings, camps, group sporting activities, art, drama and music choirs.
 
The child’s spiritual needs are met through honesty and building of the self-esteem. The child needs praise and re-assurance while mastering his techniques.
 
“We seek to sow life in the child rather than theories, to help him in his growth, mental and emotional as well as physical, for that we must offer grand ideas to the human mind.” Maria Montessori