Children of the first plane, 0-6 years, are directed by two primary tasks in their development—to self-construct and to adapt to the world around them. Children build themselves up—developing movement, language, and intellect—all with a growing understanding of the context of their specific community. For example, all humans have a natural tendency to develop language, but the specific language is determined by what is used in the community around them. In the Children’s House, we work to support the child in their process of adaptation, offering materials and experiences that allow them to explore and further understand the many aspects of their community and world. 

Specifically, the sensorial aspects of the world, an area of the sensorial materials, provide the children with physical representations of geography and culture with which they can explore. These materials offer the child sensorial impressions of their world at different scales. These materials begin with globes and the representation of the whole world. The child then progresses through puzzle maps, including the world map, continent maps, and the United States map. These materials are greatly loved by the children and inspire great and creative extensions and further exploration. Recently children have been making watercolor maps, paper globes, learning about land and water forms in each continent, looking at continent cultural folders, painting flags, and learning the names of many countries. 

Kate