Sensorial area expands the child sensory perceptions and knowledge of the world. Maria Montessori called sensorial materials the "key to the universe" because they enable the to perceive, identity and classify what he sees, touches, smells, taste and hears.
SENSORIAL
The Sensorial area of the classroom uses the Sensorial Material to address the child’s Sensitive Period for the Refinement of the Senses. Dr. Montessori stated that the “Sensorial Materials are the keys to universe.” The first step for the child is to help him become aware of his senses. He uses his eyes to see; his ears to hear; his nose to smell; his hands to touch and feel; his tongue to taste. Once this is established, the second step helps to classify his impressions and refine his perceptions, for example, knowing large, larger and largest. The materials are the keys to the outside world, and they respond to the child’s need to explore and be active to gain understanding of his world around him. The quality of our senses not only helps us to orientate us to the world around, but also is a tool to aide us in building our knowledge. The development of the child’s senses is a natural process in which we, as educators, can help enrich its development. In that Dr. Montessori refers to the Sensorial materials as the ‘keys to the universe’ because they truly hold knowledge for everything. If we do not allow the children to experience the connection between the materials and their world, the child will not use them as keys to the universe.
SENSORIAL EXERCISES.
A child loves to touch. Much of the world comes to him through his hands as he investigates everything in the environment. The sensorial materials, “the keys to the universe”, presents the child with a strong basis for intellectual growth and a preparation for complex learning.
The activities in this area are designed to:
• Develop visual perception
• Refine the tactile senses
• Educate the child’s sense of smelling, feeling, hearing and