The Sensitive Periods - Montessori - 1806 Words

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 living organism must go through developmental stages. This notion was especially examined by Hugo de Vries (1948-1935), a Dutch botanist and geneticist who spent much of his life researching animal development. His work largely related to the†¦show more content†¦11 Mathematics Formation of the concepts of quantity and operations for the use of concrete material aids (age: 4 - 6). (as cited in Seldin Epstein, 2003, p. 47) For the purposes of this paper, I have been required to observe children in an educational and non-educational setting and identify two examples of children demonstrating a sensitive period. My observation in an educational setting – at a Montessori Children’s house: Two little boys approximately the age of two were beside a sliding glass door. One child held a squeegee window cleaner and at his feet laid a bucket of water – we will call this child Jake. The other child (we will call Michael) fussed around Jake wanting to have a turn. Jake’s drive was to clean the glass using the squeegee. He dipped the squeegee into the water and then wiped the glass door. Several things were observed. Jake appeared stressed when he spilled water on the floor. He was also very obsessed with cleaning the glass well and wiping up any drips of water that were spilt from the squeegee onto the glass. Michael fussed around Jake. Michael was keen for his turn (the need for the implementation of rules) and used limited language to give instructions to Jake, telling Jake how to do his job. Jake appeared annoyed at Michael but was ignoring his verbal demands and also ignored Michael’s attempts to take the squeegee from him. Jake was deeply absorbed in his ‘work.’ After about 5 minutes, theShow MoreRelatedMontessori Sensitive Periods1559 Words   |  7 PagesA 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, theRead 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 MoreSensitive 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 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 MoreMaria Montessori : Education Of Children And Developed A Clear Concept Of A Planned Environment1489 Words   |  6 Pages â€Æ' While Maria Montessori expressed multiple convincing theories regarding the education of children that included ideas such as sensitive periods, the role of independence and a planned environment in the classroom, some theories contradicted each other and in practice. She compiled her beliefs into a Montessori Method that described how to teach young children in a way that fulfilled their full potential. McClure’s magazine recognized Montessori as a â€Å"wonder worker in education† (Tozier, 1911)Read 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 repe ats 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 MoreThe Role of a Teacher in a Montessori Classroom1273 Words   |  6 Pagesto develop naturally. She believed that every child held the ability to learn but only needed to be shown or guided on how to correctly do so. The teachers role in the class room is to cater for these needs. Montessori believed that only a certain type of person suited the role of a Montessori teacher â€Å"The teacher must derive not only the capacity, but the desire, to observe natural phenomena. In our system, she must become a passive, much more than an active, influence, and her passivity shall beRead MoreSensitive Period and Absorbent Mind1093 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is sensitive period and the environment required for sensitive period At birth the child s physical development is more or less complete while psychologically it is still in the embryonic state. For this reason Dr. Maria Montessori called that the human being is still a spiritual embryo when it is born. Man seems to have two embryonic periods, one is prenatal like that of the animals; the other is postnatal and only man has this. -The Absorbent Mind, p55, Chapter 7. â€Å"A child possessesRead MoreSensitive Periods1496 Words   |  6 PagesSensitive 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