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.
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.
In this essay I will define the term sensitive periods linking it with stage of development, I will also outline the importance of these periods , the consequences of not recognising it, and finally how we can support children in this crucial time.
"A sensitive periods refers to a special sensibility which a creature in its infantile state, while it is still in a process of evolution". ( Montessori, 1966, p38) Maria Montessori believed that during first few years of life its very easy for a child to learn without an effort that later on will be more difficult such as language. She observed that there is an inner passion and urge to absorbed everything from their environment. Sensitive periods are characterized by behaviours such as an activity being irresistible for a child once he/ she starts it. Once the sensitive period is over, the sensibility disappears because the brain has progressed to a time when specific information is absorbed. In each period children are especially sensitive to a specific characteristic in his/her environment. They have this "inner power horme" (Montessori, 1966) which enables them to choose and explore necessary objects and relationships from their environment, for their intellectual growth. All of those periods are very specific and unique for a child development. If he/she will not be able to satisfy his/her needs during those periods the opportunity " of a natural conquest is lost and its lost for good" (Montessori, 1966, p.39) These periods are transitory and it last only for as long as is necessary for a child to accomplish a particular stage of development.
There is three stages of development identified by Montessori are infancy (birth to six years), childhood ( six to twelve years), adolescence (twelve to eighteen). The
In this essay I will define the term sensitive periods linking it with stage of development, I will also outline the importance of these periods , the consequences of not recognising it, and finally how we can support children in this crucial time.
"A sensitive periods refers to a special sensibility which a creature in its infantile state, while it is still in a process of evolution". ( Montessori, 1966, p38) Maria Montessori believed that during first few years of life its very easy for a child to learn without an effort that later on will be more difficult such as language. She observed that there is an inner passion and urge to absorbed everything from their environment. Sensitive periods are characterized by behaviours such as an activity being irresistible for a child once he/ she starts it. Once the sensitive period is over, the sensibility disappears because the brain has progressed to a time when specific information is absorbed. In each period children are especially sensitive to a specific characteristic in his/her environment. They have this "inner power horme" (Montessori, 1966) which enables them to choose and explore necessary objects and relationships from their environment, for their intellectual growth. All of those periods are very specific and unique for a child development. If he/she will not be able to satisfy his/her needs during those periods the opportunity " of a natural conquest is lost and its lost for good" (Montessori, 1966, p.39) These periods are transitory and it last only for as long as is necessary for a child to accomplish a particular stage of development.
There is three stages of development identified by Montessori are infancy (birth to six years), childhood ( six to twelve years), adolescence (twelve to eighteen). The
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