Child Development
In this essay, we will be focusing on Maria Montessori’s point of view on children’s development during the first few years of life. Firstly, the essay will outline the planes of development and the two embryonic stages proposed by Montessori (Montessori, 2007a). Then, a detail explanation of what is the sensitive period (Montessori, 1966) will be included and link to each stage of child development with practical examples. Lastly the essay will conclude with the importance of facilitating the sensitive periods during the early formative years, suggesting teacher’s strategies to meet the child’s needs and point out the adverse affects if they are not supported.
Many research have been carried out to help people understand how humans develop and learn. Dr. Montessori, based on her experiences, came to realize that humans seem to develop through some specific stages. Even though children show common characteristics in each stage, their mind still develop in a very distinctive way. She believed that “development is a series of rebirth” (Montessori, 2007a, p17). She had categorized her developmental theory into three stages. The first stage, from birth to six years of age, is further divided into two sub phases, 0-3 and 3-6 years. According to Montessori (2007a), 0-6 years is the period of time when the men’s intelligence and psychic power are being shaped. In this stage, children are often found striving to develop a sense of self as an individual being. It is the most important time when children could acquire information effortlessly and develop all the essential skills that prepare them for their future learning.
The second stage is from 6-12 years of age. According to Dr. Montessori (2007a, p19), “in this period the child can submit himself to the regime of mental work demanded by the school: he can grasp what the teacher means and is patient enough to listen and learn”. This shows that children at this stage is calm, happy, strong, healthy and emotionally
Many research have been carried out to help people understand how humans develop and learn. Dr. Montessori, based on her experiences, came to realize that humans seem to develop through some specific stages. Even though children show common characteristics in each stage, their mind still develop in a very distinctive way. She believed that “development is a series of rebirth” (Montessori, 2007a, p17). She had categorized her developmental theory into three stages. The first stage, from birth to six years of age, is further divided into two sub phases, 0-3 and 3-6 years. According to Montessori (2007a), 0-6 years is the period of time when the men’s intelligence and psychic power are being shaped. In this stage, children are often found striving to develop a sense of self as an individual being. It is the most important time when children could acquire information effortlessly and develop all the essential skills that prepare them for their future learning.
The second stage is from 6-12 years of age. According to Dr. Montessori (2007a, p19), “in this period the child can submit himself to the regime of mental work demanded by the school: he can grasp what the teacher means and is patient enough to listen and learn”. This shows that children at this stage is calm, happy, strong, healthy and emotionally
Bibliography: - Lillard, P. P. (1996) Montessori Today, New York: Schocken Books. Montessori Centre International (2010) Philosophy, Module 1, London: MCI. Montessori, M. (1966) The Secret of Childhood, New York: Ballantine. Montessori, M. (2007a) The Absorbent Mind, Amsterdam: Montessori-Pierson. Montessori, M. (2007b) The Discovery of the Child, Amsterdam: Montessori-Pierson. Stephenson, M. E. (2000) The Human Tendencies The NAMTA Journal, (Vol 25, No 3) pp 5-22.