SENSORIAL ESSAY
Introduction
Family undoubtedly is the main factor in the growth and development of the child. However, next to the family, the classroom is one of the most important places in the world of a child. The Montessori classroom not only determines the present state of the child but also his future wellbeing. A child in his formative years, which are between 2 ½ to 6, is like a receiver, he is open to all kind of transmitters. In “The Absorbent Mind”, Dr Maria Montessori wrote:
“There are many who believe 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. For that is the time when man’s intelligence itself, his greatest implement is being formed” (Montessori, The Absorbent Mind, 1995, p. 22). At no other age has the child greater need of well-informed help and assistance, additionally any obstacle that impedes his creative work will lessen the chance of achieving his goal. In order to help children connect with their environment and be able to contribute to their self-confidence, Maria Montessori developed a system which is based on creating a natural environment for the child idea. In Montessori way of education, the classroom is called the Prepared Environment. The classrooms are carefully prepared environments, housing an array of carefully designed materials suited to the child’s needs. The first task of a Montessori teacher is to setup her classroom, to create a prepared environment for the child.
Dr. Maria Montessori based her method of teaching young children considering the fact that a child between two to six years passes through the sensitive period for the refinement of senses and they can be assisted in the development of the senses while they are in this formative period. In order to serve this purpose Dr. Maria Montessori introduced a subject called ‘Sensorial’ where the materials are specially designed to enable the children to use their senses to explore
Family undoubtedly is the main factor in the growth and development of the child. However, next to the family, the classroom is one of the most important places in the world of a child. The Montessori classroom not only determines the present state of the child but also his future wellbeing. A child in his formative years, which are between 2 ½ to 6, is like a receiver, he is open to all kind of transmitters. In “The Absorbent Mind”, Dr Maria Montessori wrote:
“There are many who believe 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. For that is the time when man’s intelligence itself, his greatest implement is being formed” (Montessori, The Absorbent Mind, 1995, p. 22). At no other age has the child greater need of well-informed help and assistance, additionally any obstacle that impedes his creative work will lessen the chance of achieving his goal. In order to help children connect with their environment and be able to contribute to their self-confidence, Maria Montessori developed a system which is based on creating a natural environment for the child idea. In Montessori way of education, the classroom is called the Prepared Environment. The classrooms are carefully prepared environments, housing an array of carefully designed materials suited to the child’s needs. The first task of a Montessori teacher is to setup her classroom, to create a prepared environment for the child.
Dr. Maria Montessori based her method of teaching young children considering the fact that a child between two to six years passes through the sensitive period for the refinement of senses and they can be assisted in the development of the senses while they are in this formative period. In order to serve this purpose Dr. Maria Montessori introduced a subject called ‘Sensorial’ where the materials are specially designed to enable the children to use their senses to explore
References: Montessori, M. (1995). The Absorbent Mind, New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company Montessori, M. (1972). The Secret of Childhood, New York, NY: Ballantine Books Montessori, M. (1972). The Discovery of the Child, New York, NY: The Random House Publishing Group Gettman, D. (1987). Basic Montessori Learning Activities for Under-Fives, New York, NY: St Martin’s Press Lillard, P.P. (1973). Montessori A Modern Approach, New York, NY: Schocken Books Essays, UK. (November 2013). Montessori Method in Developing Children’s Creativity Young People Essay. Retrieved from http://www.ukessays.com/essays/young-people/montessori-method-in-developing-childrens-creativity-young-people-essay.php?cref=1