Montessori in the Primary Years: Cosmic Education Explained to Parents

What is so special about Montessori education in the primary years? And what does Cosmic Education even mean? 

Whether your family is new to Montessori or has been involved for years, all parents and caregivers will be inspired by understanding how children learn in Montessori primary classrooms. 

In Montessori primary education, all curriculum areas are covered. However, Montessori delivers this content differently by providing a “Big Picture” to demonstrate how the sciences, art, history, language, mathematics, and geography are interrelated. This is called Cosmic Education, simply meaning “relating to the universe”. Cosmic Education is the unifying element of the Montessori curriculum for children aged 6-12 years, highlighting the interconnectedness of all subject areas. It is a fundamental aspect of holistic education as it helps the students to understand their place in the world and how they can contribute to a more sustainable future. 

Alice Champion is the Administrative Manager at Montessori Schools and Centres Australia (MSCA) and has three children: a 10-year-old daughter and 8-year-old twins. She holds an AMI Montessori 6-12 Orientation Certificate and is completing a Graduate Diploma of Education (Montessori 6-12) to become a Montessori Primary School Teacher.

Alice holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) with Honours in Sociology. Prior to 2020, Alice was undertaking a PhD in Sociology before deciding to focus on fully supporting and progressing Montessori education.

MSCA (sounds like MISS-kuh) is the non-profit, national representative body for Montessori education in Australia and the internationally recognised affiliate of AMI (Association Montessori Internationale).