Which Shichida Stage Is Right for My Child?

Four stages, one continuous journey

We group children by developmental window rather than by ability, because what a nine-month-old needs from an hour of learning is genuinely different from what a five-year-old needs.

Stage 1 — Infants, 6 months to 1 year

Sensory integration and bonding. Rich visual stimuli, rhythm and song, gentle touch work. Much of the hour is about you and your baby together: your voice, your face, your rhythm. Early neural pathways are laid down alongside emotional security.

Stage 2 — Toddlers, 1 to 2 years

Photographic memory and rapid language acquisition. High-contrast visual games, naming, matching and early pattern recognition. This is often the stage where parents are startled by how quickly vocabulary expands.

Stage 3 — Preschool, 2 to 4 years

Logical reasoning, concentration and emotional regulation. Early mathematical concepts, spatial puzzles, sequencing, and the exercises we call Education of the Heart, which build resilience and empathy as deliberately as we build memory.

Stage 4 — Foundation, 4 to 6 years

Executive function and school readiness. Fine-tuning both hemispheres: sustained focus, problem-solving, independent thinking and the quiet self-belief that makes starting primary school feel exciting rather than frightening.

Choosing

In almost every case, age is the right guide. If your child sits near a boundary, or if you have any concerns about development, speak to us before booking — we would rather place a child thoughtfully than tidily.

Curious to see it for yourself? The easiest way to understand a Shichida class is to sit in one. Message our team on WhatsApp to book a trial class and we will help you choose the right stage for your child.

Sources & Further Reading

For readers who would like to explore the wider science of early years cognitive development, the following authoritative organisations offer trusted further reading:

1. Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University. Brain Architecture & Early Childhood Development.
2. World Health Organization. Improving Early Childhood Development: WHO Guideline.
3. UK Department for Education. Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.
4. NHS. Children’s Development & Early Learning.