Sensitive periods
Assignment 2:
Define 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 (Montessori, 1966). Essential skills acquisition and adjustment occurs in the first six years of life and requires a great deal of freedom, a mindful assistance of an adult and a favorable environment (Montessori, 2007b).
According to Montessori (2007a) children in order to become mature individuals go through three distinct planes of development: infancy, childhood and adolescence. In opposition to the previous psychologist, Montessori (2007a, p21) stated that “the most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six”. At this time, children are endowed with a special mentality, the Absorbent Mind, that takes in everything children experience by their senses. Children create upon absorbed impressions their intelligence and personality (Montessori, 2007a). As children 's brain is extremely receptive and develops rapidly, they /need an interesting, slightly challenging and rich in purposeful activities environment. From this they can learn by themselves, without direct lessons and qualified teachers, with a great ease and commitment. The learning process occurs fast and any accomplishment brings them happiness and satisfaction. Moreover, the Absorbent Mind allows children to adjust to their environment by simply living in it. At this time, children become men of their times, place and culture, learn their mother tongue to perfection and get attached to their
Define 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 (Montessori, 1966). Essential skills acquisition and adjustment occurs in the first six years of life and requires a great deal of freedom, a mindful assistance of an adult and a favorable environment (Montessori, 2007b).
According to Montessori (2007a) children in order to become mature individuals go through three distinct planes of development: infancy, childhood and adolescence. In opposition to the previous psychologist, Montessori (2007a, p21) stated that “the most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six”. At this time, children are endowed with a special mentality, the Absorbent Mind, that takes in everything children experience by their senses. Children create upon absorbed impressions their intelligence and personality (Montessori, 2007a). As children 's brain is extremely receptive and develops rapidly, they /need an interesting, slightly challenging and rich in purposeful activities environment. From this they can learn by themselves, without direct lessons and qualified teachers, with a great ease and commitment. The learning process occurs fast and any accomplishment brings them happiness and satisfaction. Moreover, the Absorbent Mind allows children to adjust to their environment by simply living in it. At this time, children become men of their times, place and culture, learn their mother tongue to perfection and get attached to their