Cosmic Education
Children have their unique set of requirements as they approach different planes of development. These distinct needs should be effectively met in order to achieve optimal holistic development.
The Montessori Method of Education is a revolutionary pedagogical tool that assimilates all integral aspects of physical, psychological, cognitive, emotional, and emotional philosophies to help the child achieve higher levels of attributes.
According to Dr. Maria Montessori, the education of a developing mind is not limited to the classroom, the educator, or the child.
Education for the developing mind should be a
“vision of the whole universe”. (Clio 1989 p 5 – 6)
After the first plane of development, the child begins to approach the phase of intellectual growth. During the Second Plane of Development, the child is able to open up and explore new opportunities to broaden their horizons.
The Montessori Method of Education during the Second Plane promotes a curriculum that facilitates cognitive development.
When the child begins to establish a strong interest in nature, and mankind and develops the ability to draw complex conclusions the Montessori Method of Education introduces “Cosmic Education” into the curriculum.
Dr. Maria Montessori refers to Cosmic Education as a pathway through which the child develops a global vision. The concept of Cosmic Education is a deep and complex area of Montessori Philosophy. To gain insight into Cosmic Education, Keep reading.
Contents
What is Cosmic Education?
Cosmic Education is referred to as the cornerstone of the Montessori Method of education. Cosmic Education provides the developing mind with a vivid image of the universe and helps them comprehend their place in the universe and the interconnectedness of all the objects that are integrated into the universe.
The Montessori Method incorporates this comprehensive, resolute, and holistic aspect of education to encompass the overall development of the child in the context of the universe. The attempts to endeavor the answer related to the universe, the child might also lead to the path of “cosmic task” to contribute to a prosperous future.
Cosmic Education for Second Plane of development:
In order to further understand the concept of Cosmic Education one should first learn why this concept was developed.
The Montessori Method of Education is a pedagogical tool that lays heavy emphasis on the requirements and characteristics of children during different stages of development.
These distinct stages of development are divided into four Planes development.
The Second Plane of Development begins from age 6 to 12 years. This Plane is often referred to as the period of intellectual growth when the child begins to open up and explore new opportunities to broaden their horizons. Integral hallmarks of this Plane of development are:
- A shift from concrete concepts of learning to abstract concepts of education.
- Superlative understanding of social queues, cultivating better relationships with peers and other social groups.
- Establishing a deeper understanding of social and ethical values.
- Intense interest in law, justice, and fairness.
- Intimate understanding of social, moral, and intellectual knowledge.
- A proclivity towards vivid imagination.
- A need to become a contributing member of society.
- Heightened interest in the surrounding environment.
The Montessori method of education during the second plane of development facilitates cognitive development.
Cosmic Education provides children with an opportunity to learn about cultures, morals, society mankind, the universe, and the environment to cater to their natural curiosity.
Through Cosmic Education, children lead on the path toward becoming responsible, thoughtful, intellectual, and self-aware individuals.
What does Cosmic Education Incorporate?
Cosmic Education in the Montessori Philosophy provides children in the Second Phase of Development with a curriculum that assimilates topics like species, substances, and significant events that are referred to as “Great Lessons of Cosmic Education”.
These lessons are introduced through the medium of storytelling which serves the child’s imagination, helps the child learn complex concepts, and helps provide lessons that are deeply inculcated in the child’s mind.
What are the Great 5 Lessons of Cosmic Education?
The Great Lessons of Cosmic Education incorporate 5 impressionistic lessons that are theatrical in nature and leave a great impression on the children.
Each of the 5 lessons is integrated into the Montessori Elementary curriculum. All the Lessons follow the Storytelling medium to help inculcate the lessons in the child’s mind.
- The universe and its beginning:
The First Lesson of Cosmic Education is dramatic, theatrical, and exciting just like the universe itself. This lesson is presented by the storytelling medium where the guide explains how the Universe came to be.
Numerous materials are used to elaborate on the vastness of time. Materials like The Clock of Eons signify time whereas the Black Strip signifies the human history on the planet.
- Life on Earth:
The Second Lesson is often approached with intense enthusiasm where the children bring out their love for animals. The educator utilizes a material called the “Timeline of Life” that beautifully depicts the evolution of the planet from the Paleozoic age to contemporary time.
- Early Humans:
The child develops a deep sense of gratitude towards the humans who came before them. The children learn about the Timelines of Early Humans, anthropoids, early hominids, and early civilizations.
- History of Writing:
The children learn about early writing techniques like ancient scripts, hieroglyphs, cuneiforms, and various languages from around the world.
- History of Mathematics:
The children are able to learn about different discoveries of complex and abstract mathematical concepts made by different mathematicians and scholars.
Why is Cosmic Education Important?
Cosmic Education is among the cornerstones of the Montessori Method of Education. This unique field or area of curriculum helps is beyond what any other traditional institution provides.
Cosmic Education in Montessori gives children an insight into the universe and its inner functioning as well as helps them comprehend their place in the universe.
After thoroughly understanding their place in the universe, the child becomes familiar with the contributions made by the people around them, begins to appreciate their existence, and approaches new people with generosity. The child is also able to appreciate the flora and fauna that surround the earth as their cosmic task.
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