This 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 every
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A sensitive period refers to “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
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The sensitive periods "A child’s different inner sensibilities enable him to choose from his complex environment what is suitable and necessary for his growth. They make the child sensitive to some things‚ but leave him indifferent to others. When a particular sensitiveness is aroused in a child‚ it is like a light that shines on some objects but not others‚ making of them his whole world." The Secret of Childhood p. 42‚ Chap 7 A sensitive period refers to a transient state that children go through
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cover 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’s
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the 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 prevented
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the senses offers the child a key to guide his explorations of the world‚ they cast a light upon it which makes visible to him more things in greater detail than he could see in the dark‚ or uneducated state." The Absorbent Mind p 167‚ Chap 17 Montessori was very influenced by the work of Edouard Seguin. He specialised in working with mentally deficient children and had developed a series of exercises that helped to train the children’s senses and to teach them the skills of everyday life. He also
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What 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 “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 what
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the term sensitive periods and link them appropriately to the child’s first stage of development. Explain how you would support these sensitive periods during this first crucial stage. Dr. Maria Montessori‚ basing on her scientific child observation‚ concluded that children learn and adjust to their surroundings on their own and by the means of inner powers (Montessori‚ 1966) they possess at birth: the Absorbent Mind (Montessori‚ 2007a)‚ human tendencies (Montessori‚ 1966) and sensitive periods
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Sensitive Periods Introduction Sensitive periods are a termed coined by a Dutch biologist Hugo de Vries and later adopted by Dr. Montessori to refer to the important period of development in childhood. Montessori was not very specific in her published works about the precise number‚ description‚ or timing of these sensitive periods. These periods are critical to the child’s self-development. She set out several periods with the approximate ages to which they applied. Dr. Montessori believed‚ adults
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Sensitive Periods Define the term sensitive periods Sensitive periods are a period in a child’s life where they are obsessed with certain aspects of learning without any particular reason. This period is an optimum time for development and children can really develop specific abilities and skills. When children are in their sensitive periods and working with any activity‚ they will not show any signs of fatigue and will repeat the activity a number of times. These periods last for a certain
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