Keystone Coffee Talk – September 12, 2013
Compiled by Ms. Ann Velasco

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A period of tremendous transformation
Physical mental

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A period of stable growth
Physical
Intellectual

1 st Plane: Absorbent Mind
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A quality we only have during the 1 st plane
Allows the child to unconsciously absorb everything
Absorbs language,
Movement, Culture,
Order
2 nd Plane: Reasoning Mind
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Lasts the rest of our lives
Eager and receptive to new knowledge in a conscious way
Research takes on importance
Works tirelessly to delve deeply into their interests

1sr Plane: Concrete
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Wants to know ‘what’
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We give them names for everything
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Learns by handling and experiencing things in the concrete
2 nd Plane: Abstract
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Wants to know ‘why’
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We encourage their exploration of reasons, history, consequences for their inquiries
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Often learns through reading, stories

1 st Plane: tenderness
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“tender and graceful little being” (MM) Has a sweet nature
We feel protective
Adult provides environment where all needs are met.
Connection with caregivers provides security to explore environment
2 nd Plane: hardness
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A certain hardness of character
Age of ‘rudeness’
Very frank and direct
He wants to have a say in meeting his own needs
Connection with caregivers provides security to explore his community / world

1 st Plane: Functional
Independence
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Focus on being able to act by and for himself
Develops skills needed to act independently, to care for self & environment
“be able to act without help”
2 nd Plane: Independence of thought
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Focus on being able to decide for himself
Develops intellect to know independently, to form ideas and opinions
Resents arbitrary adult directives

1 st Plane
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Fairly egotistical in focus
– concerned with self
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Develops the aptitude to interact with others on a social level (3-6 yrs)
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How to function within a group in a positive way
2 nd Plane
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Birth of social personality.
Group of peers takes on new significance
Herd instinct
Group games of greater importance
Family = security, but there is a separation

1 st Plane: Social Cohesion
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Sense of belonging to group larger than immediate family
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Mutual solidarity & identification with the group
2 nd Plane: Functioning of Society
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How a society works
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Wants to govern his own society
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Classroom meetings
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Opportunities to make decisions, leadership

1 st Plane: Exploring Specific
Behaviors
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Child must create his own behavior
Not born with any behavior, but with the power to create behavior
Wants to know how to behave in certain situations
2 nd Plane: Developing own Moral
Compass
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Heightened sensitivity towards ethical vs not
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Young 2 nd plane
“tattles” to get feedback
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Strong sense of justice
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Wants to know ‘why’ we behave in certain ways

1 st plane
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Adaptation to time and place
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His experiences influence his adaptation
2 nd Plane
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Concerned with the social expectations of peers
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Wants to know how his community works
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Interested in differences in cultures

1 st Plane: Reproductive
Imagination
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Reproduces in his mind those things he has experienced
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Creative endeavors reflect those things he has experienced
2 nd Plane: Creative Imagination
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Creates in his mind images of things he has never experienced
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Can imagine scenes from different time and place
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Imaginative constructs in art and science

1 st Plane: Children’s House
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The environment supports order, language, movement, independence,
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Freedom to make choices
2 nd Plane: Dual learning environment
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Dual Environment: the classroom with the materials & the greater community at large
“going out”
Greater understanding of the world around him.
Freedom to make choices