SENSITIVE PERIOD FOR NUMBERS AND FOR COURTESIES

Sensitive period for numbers 

This is the time when we introduce the math curriculum is introduced in a Montessori classroom. Counting used to be a part of language and at this period they are interested in numbers as an entity and a separate type of language.

Sensitive period for understanding Manners and Courtesies

For children aged 3-6 there are grace and courtesy lessons in a Montessori classroom. For children aged 0-3 grace and courtesy is modeled by the adults. This entails the parents to be using their manners with the children and other adults that may be around.

 

SENSITIVE PERIOD FOR WEANING

If the introduction of solids is done at this age the interest is captured and can later on prevent problems with feeding. Children are best breast fed until at least a year and supplemented with solids. At times by 10-12 months the child may not want breast milk, one must learn to follow the lead of the child. Prevention of feeding problems is essential when children get to the toddler phase and may often get picky with their food. There is ideally a good variety and positive experience with food for the child.

SENSITIVE PERIOD FOR REFINEMENT OF THE SENSES

Sensitive period for refinement of the senses is characterized with the child’s fascination with sensorial experiences (taste, smell, sounds, weight, touch) results in the child learning to observe and make increasingly refined sensorial discriminations. Nothing is in the mind that was not first in the senses. One can let the child smell different herbs, different foods, like fruits surrounding them in nature walks or even the supermarket.
Sensitive period for Small objects (From 1 - 3years) 

This can be characterized by the child’s fixation with small objects and tiny details.
This is an indicator that order and detail are coming together in the child’s mind. Children are attracted to the level of focusing on details.
To properly prepare the environment one may get down to knee level and walk it to see the details yourself, fix what needs to be fixed so as the child may not be distracted when doing work. When a child may see something in disorder this may affect their level of concentration.


Sensitive period for Sensorial Exploration and Classification (From 2.5- 6 years) 

First phase from conception to 2.5-3 years of age is the acquisition of sensorial impressions or sensory experiences .It is at this age they encounter a vast experience of sensorial experiences. It is the duty of the parent to give the child opportunities to explore their environment and experience or stimulate their senses and not always be prevented with minor hygiene or safety concerns. 

Classification happens at 2.5 to 5.5-6 when one needs to provide a system for children to classify these sensory experiences. If they have a new sensory experience they can fit it in that classification system

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SENSITIVE PERIOD FOR MOVEMENT

The sensitive period for movement can be divided into different classifications. For acquisition of gross and fine motor (walking and the use of the hands) is from 0-2.5 years of age.The environment we prepare for this is the opportunities for the child to crawl, pull up, encourage to walk with or without assistance and not just left to sit by themselves. A child is also given toys/materials that allow their hands to hook, bat, touch, turn, insert and grasp small items within their abilities. We have to give them toys or materials that improve the movement of the hand, and improve eye/hand coordination. These opportunities given to them need to be repeated in order for these skills to be refined.
Refinement/coordination of movement is from 2.5 to 4.5 years of age. This is when the child may start using both hands in coordination of fine movements, being able to hold small items with pincer grip and release voluntary. Gross motor can be coordination of walking, running, balancing while carrying a jug of water and jumping. The child acquires this coordination through repetition of purposeful motor activity. Regular visits to the park or outdoor environment is likely to help this sensitive period.

SENSITIVE PERIOD FOR LANGUAGE

The sensitive period for language is from 7 months in utero up to 5.5 to 6 years of age. There are several aspects of language from spoken language, to written language and reading.This is an integral part of a child’s life to be able to use words to use words or language in order to communicate. It is the progression from babbling to single words to phrases to two or three word sentences, with a continuously expanding vocabulary and comprehension. A second language is also learnt very easily at this time. The sensitive period for learning to speak is from is from 7 months to 2.5-3 years of age. The prenatal influence on language development is important. By age three the child is ideally speaking 2-3 word sentences.
The environment we prepare for this child is speaking to them in clear language, reading to them and allowing them to speak their needs and not anticipating their needs too much that there is no need for the child to try to communicate verbally. This can be a common occurrence that adults are often not aware as we try to be helpful at all times to the needs of children.

SENSITIVE PERIOD OF ORDER

Sensitive period for order starts from birth and peaks at 18 months to 2.5 years and prolongs to age five. This is characterized by a desire for consistency and repetition. There exists a passionate love for established routines and is when a child may seem disturbed by disorder. The “terrible twos” are often exaggerated reactions to small disruptions in order that is not perceived by adults.The environment therefore must be carefully ordered with a place for everything and with carefully established ground rules. It is also important to have external order as order in their environment where there is an appropriate place for everything as this helps the child also establish their internal order.
It is when you see a child may give out a tantrum since things are out of routine and it affects their sense of order. They may at this time insist on the same routine, and at times parents don’t really have time to respect this in the busy lives. One may even see a child put things in back into place if they are out of order if given the chance.

It is important to be aware of this as one of the child’s needs to be fulfilled. Having ordered rules helps a child in this sensitive period.

MONTESSORI SENSITIVE PERIOD

Within Maria Montessori’s framework due to her studies with children, she has observed the occurrence of sensitive periods. In other pedagogies it can get called developmental milestones or windows of opportunities.It is those periods in the child’s life when a certain ability manifests itself strongly. During these periods the child has an especially strong sensitivity towards a particular piece of knowledge or skill. The sensitivity lasts for a certain period and does not reoccur.
Simply it is a period of time in which the child concentrates mainly on one aspect of his environment and excludes everything else. This is when we see a child repeatedly does an activity with passion and conviction per se, and it seems like nothing can deter them to accomplishing that task until it is satisfied. It is a time of intense concentration and mental activity on developing a particular skill at that particular time, age / phase in growth. It is driven unconsciously by an inner force that the best way an adult can support this passion is to prepare the environment and encourage this special time of learning.

This can also be used as basic guidelines as to when a child is ready to learn and when to introduce certain items to children. This can also be determined by observing the child for when they are focused on a certain type of work and follow the child’s interest.
“The child has a creative aptitude, a potential energy that will enable it to build up a mental world from the world about it. He makes numerous acquisitions during the sensitive periods, which put him in relation to the other world in an exceptionally intense manner.” The Secret of Childhood by Maria Montessori.