9–12 years
At this stage, the child continues to be interested in the abstract world and seeks causes and reasons. Skills developed during this period include imagination, abstraction, a high level of cognitive capacity and activity, and a developing sense of morality—what is right and what is wrong.Due to children’s strong interest in being part of a group and collaborating, each child practices the social skills needed to plan and carry out their projects: delegation and division of work, sharing resources, making group decisions, taking responsibility for their actions, and celebrating the success of their peers. Our education fosters a sense of connection to humanity and inspires the child’s natural desire to build positive relationships and contribute to the world.
The environment for children aged 9–12 expands. The classroom and garden are no longer enough. It is no longer sufficient for the child to work independently, for themselves, and without help. They require different and greater challenges. This child needs much broader connections—with nature and with people. They have an urgent desire to explore. The child’s mental effort at this age is still accompanied by work with the hands—action that helps the child maintain focus on a given activity. Through materials, and thanks to their mental capacity, the child is able to understand even abstract concepts that are taught in higher grades in traditional schools. This does not mean that the classroom and materials are not important, but they are certainly not sufficient. Contact with adults and the environment outside of school is very important.
