Montessori Sensitive Periods - 1559 Words

A sensitive period refers to â€Å"a special sensibility which a creature acquires in its infantile state (Montessori, 1966, p.38). Such sensitive periods were first discovered in insects by the Dutch scientist Hugo de Vries, but according to Montessori, can also be found in children and are very important to consider in teaching. Each sensitive period is a transient disposition and is limited to the acquisition of a particular trait (Montessori, 1966, p.38). Once the sensitive period is over, the sensibility disappears due to the fact that the development of the brain has progressed past the point at which specific information is absorbed. According to Montessori, during a sensitive period it is very easy for the child to acquire certain†¦show more content†¦They become aware that they are part of a community (for instance their nursery or playgroup) and he or she attempts to learn manners and serve others as well as himself. Such social interest is shown initially as observation, but later develops into a need for more active contact with peers. According to Montessori, it is vitally important to support and facilitate these periods during the childs first stage of development. If the child is prevented from following the innate desire of any given sensitive period, a disturbing effect could result on both psychic development and maturity. The child must be assisted through the sensitive periods. The adult must assist the child by providing a suitable environment. Montessori believed 2 conditions were necessary for a childs psychic growth to occur. Firstly the child is dependent upon a close relationship with their environment, both the things and the people within it. Secondly, the child needs freedom. Without these conditions being met, the psychic life of a child will not reach its potential and the childs personality will be stunted. In the words of Montessori, for the children who have met with severe obstacles during this period, deviations of personality may ensue (Montessori, 1988, p.178). Adverse consequences of not recognizing and supporting the childs sensitivities may therefore result. The role of a Montessori teacher is to ensure that the materials in the prepared environmentShow MoreRelatedSensitive Period to Order - Montessori1167 Words   |  5 Pagesthe child’s sensitive period for order. I will explain how it is catered for in the classroom, referring to materials and activities. Sensitive Periods The Sensitive Periods are the best times for a child to learn a specific skill and are critical to the child’s self development. The child has this inner urge to undertake the task in order to live. Although, once this period passes it is possible for the child to learn the new skill but with much more difficulty. A sensitive period that is preventedRead MoreMontessori - What Are the Six Sensitive Periods?1777 Words   |  8 PagesWhat are the 6 sensitive periods? Write 7 to 8 lines on each of them? The Sensitive Periods in a child’s life was Dr. Maria Montessori’s greatest discovery. Though it was first discovered by a Dutch Scientist, Hugo de Vries, it was on animals, but Dr. Maria Montessori found the existence of this period in children too. The term â€Å"Sensitive Period† is used for a specific period of a child’s mental growth, during which the different sensibilities enable him to choose from a complex environment whatRead MoreThe Sensitive Periods - Montessori1806 Words   |  8 PagesThis essay will briefly discuss the notion of ‘sensitive periods in development,’ as introduced by Hugo de Vries and researched by Maria Montessori. It will further list Montessori’s explanation of the sensitive periods and their importance in a child between the ages of 0 and 6 years. Two examples will be discussed through personal reflection to demonstrate the author’s understanding of these periods. Many theorists such as Piaget, Vygotsky, Freud and Erikson have examined the idea that everyRead MoreMontessori Sensitive Periods2223 Words   |  9 Pagescover the sensitive periods and I will link them to the child’s first stage of development. I will also go over each sensitive period in full and give examples of my own experiences for each of them. I will also give explanations as to why it is important for us as adults to support and facilitate the sensitive periods and also what will happen if they are not recognised or supported at the right time. I am then also going to explain how the adults understanding of the sensitive periods and child’sRead MoreMontessoris Sensitive Periods and Their Effect on Child Development2292 Words   |  10 Pages | | | |Define the term sensitive periods and give full details of the six main periods, together with examples to show your understanding. (6 x 5) - ie 30 marks in| |total Read MoreThe Period Of The Absorbent Mind Essay1541 Words   |  7 PagesHuman beings are nature’s most incredible creation, and early childhood is the crucial period, where the foundation for his/her future is going to be established. The period of the Absorbent Mind (Birth to Six years) along with the Sensitive periods, plays a significant part in the development of movement, language and social skills of the child. During the first three years of life, the child’s mind is unconscious and purely absorbent. He/She has the ability to imbibe whatever happens in the environmentRead MoreModern Education : Is There A Choice?2524 Words   |  11 Pagesinstructed. (Leonard, 86) Maria Montessori believed that children absorb their environment making it a part of their souls, unlike adults who â€Å"admire their environment,† (Montessori, 62). This is a time in which the child incarnates in himself all that he sees, feels and hears. He is, in essence, transformed by the world around him. The newborn child begins life in a postnatal embryonic state, a period of constructive activity she referred to as the â€Å"formative period† which made â€Å"the baby into a kindRead MoreThe Importance Of A Well Prepared Environment1488 Words   |  6 PagesMaria Montessori inadvertently created an alternative to traditional schooling. She did this by allowing her pupils the opportunity to learn through action rather than repetition. Montessori had five main principles: respect for the child, sensitive periods, the prepared environment, auto-education, and the teacher’s role. In this paper I will discuss the prepared environment thoroughly and how a well prepared environment can positively affect each student in the 3-6 classroom. I will, in reflectionRead MoreThe influence of the Absorbent Mind, and the Sensitive Periods on the childs development of movement, language and social skills.1448 Words   |  6 Pagesthe Absorbent Mind and the Sensitive period and illustrate the influence of these periods on the child s development of movement, language and social skills. A child in his absorbent mind develops his movement, his language and social skills by soaking knowledge. He takes steps in different sensitive period and repeats his movements, words or social skill actions to improve and to perfect his movement, language and social skills. The Absorbent Mind: Dr. Maria Montessori uses the term Absorbent MindRead MoreDifferent Stages Of Development Children Go Through Essay1353 Words   |  6 Pages â€Æ' Sensitive Periods Have you ever wondered how many times a child can repeat an activity or a song or an action without getting bored? When I was working as an assistance teacher at our school, even I used to get questions from parents about why children are repetitive in some things at certain stages. These types of questions will be answered if we all understand the concepts explained by Dr. Maria Montessori regarding different stages of development children go through. Maria Montessori believed