STAGE OF

elementary

Teach me to think for myself

In elementary school, opportunities are created for each child to enhance their talents, build self-confidence, and consolidate their autonomy and capacity for initiative. Spaces are also created for the development of creativity, leadership skills, and teamwork.

Characteristics and needs of this stage

Between the ages of 6 and 12, boys and girls are in the stage of the reasoning mind, in which imagination, culture, and intellectual and moral development are evident. They are characterized by their need for research and practical exploration, by their constant questioning, and by their motivation to become active subjects of their learning.

At this stage, there is a tendency towards collaborative work and cooperation, as well as a greater individual awareness of what is interesting to them and what they are interested in pursuing intellectually. They develop social skills, such as assertiveness and empathy, and the ability to resolve conflicts through strategies acquired through experience. It is a time of integration of cognitive, emotional, and social skills. Self-esteem and a sense of justice acquire great importance.

Through the exploration and experimentation of the environment, children develop initiative, autonomy, and creativity, which are enhanced through the practice of individual and group activities.

How we work in the environment

The curriculum in the classroom from 6 to 12 years of age presents a historical, evolutionary, and integrated vision of knowledge and human development. The primary curriculum content is developed with a global approach, which allows children to understand the relationship between all the subjects that are addressed so that they can discover with enthusiasm and respect all the knowledge of the human being, the gratitude of all that our ancestors contributed, and what the future can give us.

The elementary curriculum is structured through five major lessons that open a wonderful window into the five major areas of the Montessori curriculum. The lessons are designed to awaken imagination, curiosity, and admiration for the creative and innovative capacity of the human spirit.

• Development of the Universe and the Earth
  Opens the door to the study of the areas of astronomy, meteorology, chemistry, physics, geology, and geography.
  
  
• Development of Life
  Initiates the areas of biology, botany, environment, evolution of life, and zoology.
  
  
• Development of Human Beings
  Begins in the areas of history, culture, social studies, scientific discoveries, and inventions.
  
  
• Sign Communication
  Opens the door to reading, writing, linguistics, language structures, and literature.
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• History of Numbers
  Initiates mathematics, the origin of numbers, number systems, and geometry.​
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At this stage, boys and girls receive group lessons and do work to reinforce what they have learned. In addition, they carry out other extension and reinforcement activities and research their areas of interest. They are in charge of planning and arranging their work in a timely and acceptable manner.

Characteristics at the end of this stage

At the end of the elementary stage, girls and boys have discovered their responsibility as part of humanity on an individual and social level and have begun to discover their talents and passions in order to find their mission in the world. They are responsible for their work and know their learning path.

"The greatest sign of a teacher's success is to be able to say: The children are now working as if I did not exist"

​María Montessori