Early Childhood
The First Plane of Development
Dr. Maria Montessori defined the period from birth to age six as the First Plane of Development, a time when children absorb information and develop rapidly. During this stage, children build the foundation of their personality, habits of mind, and sense of order in the world around them.
Young children possess what Montessori called the absorbent mind. By directly engaging with their surroundings in sensitive periods for language, movement, order, sensory refinement, and social development, they gain crucial academic readiness, character, confidence, and identity.
At Bhaktivedanta Academy, our Early Childhood program, Bhakti Bhavan, or “the home of devotion,” is designed to nurture a child’s development during this extraordinary stage of growth.
An Environment Designed for Growth
In our intentionally prepared Montessori classrooms, children engage with materials and experiences that correspond to their developmental needs.
- Practical Life activities strengthen coordination, concentration, and independence.
- Sensorial materials refine perception and prepare the mind for abstraction.
- Language materials support the rapid development of vocabulary and early literacy.
- Mathematical materials introduce quantity, sequence, and number sense through concrete experience.
Children in mixed-age classrooms mentor each other and learn together. Long work cycles let them build focus and concentration.
A Day in Bhakti Bhavan
Discovering Bhakti
In Bhakti Bhavan, we weave spiritual life into the daily rhythm of the school day. Through devotional songs, kirtan, age-appropriate study of scripture, and guided meditation, students develop an awareness of their identity as spiritual beings and their relationship with Krishna (God).
Through these early experiences, we introduce bhakti as loving service to Krishna, guiding children to offer their abilities, actions, and learning with care and purpose. As they mature, they increasingly see themselves as spiritual beings capable of devotion, responsibility, and meaningful contribution.
Preparing for Elementary
By the end of their time in Bhakti Bhavan, students possess strong foundational literacy and numeracy, sustained focus, executive functioning, and social confidence.
They enter the Elementary years with curiosity, independence, and agency. They have solid work habits and a growing sense of responsibility, and are prepared to deepen their understanding of the world and their place in it.
