The course contains six modules, each of which starts with an engaging short video of 10-15 minutes containing lots of illustrative photographs, then recaps that information with interactive reading and interactive activities.
This topic discusses human development as a series of metamorphoses. Human babies don’t just increase in size over time to mature into adults. Like butterflies, they go through a series of “rebirths” into beings with needs and powers that are unique to each developmental stage. Important characteristics of human development are reviewed, and various versions of Montessori’s famous “triangle chart” are examined.
This topic will discuss the psychic development of the human being between birth and age three. Understanding the goals, needs and tendencies of the human infant is especially important for adults because impressions and language are absorbed unconsciously during this stage of intense development.
This topic will discuss the psychic development of the human being between the ages of three and six. Understanding the goals, needs and tendencies of the young child allows adults to nurture their potential and powers during this stage of their development as they consciously work at perfecting, refining, and integrating the acquisitions made in those first three years.
This topic will discuss the psychic development of the human being between the ages of six and twelve. Understanding the goals, needs and tendencies of the school age child allows adults to nurture their potential and powers during this stage of their development that is marked by the blossoming of reasoned, abstract thought.
This topic will discuss the psychic development of the human being during the teenage years from twelve to eighteen. Understanding the goals, needs and tendencies of the adolescent allows adults to gently nurture the potential and powers of young people as they construct their moral selves during this tumultuous stage of development.
The final topic in this module briefly discusses the psychic development of young adults in the fourth plane of development. It also touches on human development in the universities, as well as the care of elderly adults in Montessori aged care environments. Finally, this lesson looks at how a deep understanding of human development will inspire a deep love and reverence for the young human, a love which will transform the adult who is lucky enough to find themselves in the role of their guide.
PART 1: Development as Metamorphosis
PART 2: The Unconscious Creator
PART 3: The Conscious Worker
PART 4: The Thinker
PART 5: The Humanist
PART 6: Adults Capable of Love
