Normalization: Maria Montessori
In Montessori education, the term “normalization” has a specialized meaning. “Normal” does not refer to what is considered to be “typical” or “average” or even “usual”. “Normalization” does not refer to a process of being forced to conform. Instead, Maria Montessori used the terms “normal” and “normalization” to describe a unique process she observed in child development.
Normalization refers to the focus, concentration and independence of the child, by his own choice. It means the child has acquired the internal freedom to initiate work, be independent, and adhere (by choice) to the rules of the environment.
DR Maria Montessori’s main discovery was the reality of a child’s true nature WHICH IS the NORMALIZED CHILD. She described the process of normalization as the fundamental changes in children.
Each small child undergoes an adaptation process when he or she first joins any new group of children. When a child just joins a new group until he undergoes adaptation stage, he or she is unable to act independently. It is after the child has normalized that he demonstrates qualities which proves his readiness for intellectual work.
Normalization describes the process that occurs in the Montessori prepared environment.
Dr Maria Montessori says the society groups children into three categories; those who are models of good, albeit passive behaviour; those whose character or behaviour needs to be corrected; and those who are thought to be superior to others–these type of children are always noisy, ‘exuberant’, their parents often think they are brilliant, even though others may not find them agreeable around them.
Such behaviour may be commonly understood as negative (a timid child, a destructive child, etc.) or positive (a passive, quiet child). Both positive and negative deviations disappear once the child begins to concentrate on a piece of work freely chosen.
Every child needs a stimulating environment to grow and without freedom of movement within this
Normalization refers to the focus, concentration and independence of the child, by his own choice. It means the child has acquired the internal freedom to initiate work, be independent, and adhere (by choice) to the rules of the environment.
DR Maria Montessori’s main discovery was the reality of a child’s true nature WHICH IS the NORMALIZED CHILD. She described the process of normalization as the fundamental changes in children.
Each small child undergoes an adaptation process when he or she first joins any new group of children. When a child just joins a new group until he undergoes adaptation stage, he or she is unable to act independently. It is after the child has normalized that he demonstrates qualities which proves his readiness for intellectual work.
Normalization describes the process that occurs in the Montessori prepared environment.
Dr Maria Montessori says the society groups children into three categories; those who are models of good, albeit passive behaviour; those whose character or behaviour needs to be corrected; and those who are thought to be superior to others–these type of children are always noisy, ‘exuberant’, their parents often think they are brilliant, even though others may not find them agreeable around them.
Such behaviour may be commonly understood as negative (a timid child, a destructive child, etc.) or positive (a passive, quiet child). Both positive and negative deviations disappear once the child begins to concentrate on a piece of work freely chosen.
Every child needs a stimulating environment to grow and without freedom of movement within this
Bibliography: Montessori, M., The Absorbent Mind, wilder publication,2009. Montessori, M., The Absorbent Mind, Theosophical press, 1964. Standing , E.M., Maria Montessori, Her Life and work, Plume new, 1998.