Lower Primary
6-9 Years
“Let me explore the world”
The reasoning mind
The Montessori 6-9 / Lower Primary classroom (cycle 2), fosters independence, collaboration and curiosity as children deepen their academic skills and explore big ideas in a supportive, mixed-age environment and within the framework of the NESA curriculum.
Equipped with a strong imagination and the ability to learn and think about abstract concepts, they are eager to explore both their immediate surroundings and the wider world. Within their class community, they take responsibility for their environment and well-being, developing social, emotional, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills that serve them beyond the classroom.
Curious, imaginative and social, the 6 to 9 year old child is driven by a desire to understand more about the world around them.
Dr Montessori referred to this stage as the Intellectual Period (Primary age, 6-12 years); a critical time for expansive education, when the child is excited and ready to learn. Where the younger child is gaining physical independence, the primary child is working on intellectual independence.
Social development plays an important role at this time as children work through issues of friendship and group dynamics. During this period, the child receives lessons in the form of ‘Great Stories’ to guide their explorations of culture, science, mathematics, language, social rules and morals.
In carefully prepared environments we foster independence and mutual respect from a very early age. Our morning work cycle enhances concentration and instils a love of learning by allowing each child to explore lessons through subject matter and materials that spark their unique interests.
This approach nurtures each child’s full potential, helping them grow into confident individuals at school, at home, and within the wider community.
In the classroom, there is freedom to move, explore and interact within limits to enhance learning outcomes.
“Maria Montessori talked about a good balance between responsibility and freedom. We can’t have freedom without responsibility. And we can’t have responsibility without freedom.”
Lower Primary Director