There is a vast world waiting to be discovered, and young children are eager to soak up knowledge. Maria Montessori described an innate drive that every child possesses – a drive to explore and attain independence. Dr Maria Montessori strongly believed that an adult’s pace of life is not the natural pace of childhood, and too often, children are expected to speed up rather than have the adults around them slow down.
Young children can exhibit more independence than we often assume. The primary distinction between how adults and children perform tasks independently is speed and efficiency. Adults are generally faster and more efficient, but this doesn’t mean children are incapable. Sometimes, when a child takes longer, adults either intervene to expedite the process or take over the task. Allowing a child the time to complete a task independently fosters their confidence. It’s essential to remember that a child’s approach to activities differs from that of an adult.
« The essence of Independence is to be able to do something for one’s self. Adults work to complete a task, but the child works to grow and evolve into the person they will become. This experience is not merely play; it is the work the child must do to mature. » – Maria Montessori
Taking the time to let a child care for themselves and problem-solve opens the door to meaningful engagement with the world. Purposeful actions naturally lead to concentration in children. Unlike adults, children cannot force themselves to concentrate; it arises from work that is purposeful and intriguing to them. Practical life materials and activities, such as dressing, brushing teeth, cutting an apple, or sweeping the floor, offer excellent opportunities for developing concentration. When children know they won’t be rushed or interrupted, their concentration becomes even stronger.
Maria Montessori also highlighted Sensitive Periods for learning in children’s first six years of life. These sensitive periods encompass language, movement, order, social behaviour, and sensory refinement. Children are naturally drawn to these areas and absorb knowledge easily. For instance, a child’s sensitivity to language is so powerful that they can effortlessly learn new languages without an accent, just through regular conversation and exposure. And slowing down enables children to maximize their learning potential.
Here are some strategies for slowing down and aligning with a child’s sensitive periods:
- Language – Engage in real conversations with your child, make eye contact and truly listen.
- Movement – Focus on one activity at a time when «working» with your child, allowing them to observe or participate.
- Order – Establish orderly routines in a logical sequence, leaving ample time for your child to be independent.
- Social Behaviour – Communicate with your child ahead of time when going somewhere, ensuring they know what to expect and are then more likely to engage.
- Refinement of Senses – Take time to explore sensory experiences, like feeling and smelling, or enjoy nature walks listening to birds. Involve your child in meal preparation, letting them smell and taste ingredients.
Additional Tips:
- Avoid talking and moving simultaneously when showing something new to your child.
- Focus on one aspect of a task before moving on. For example, if teaching your child to help with dishes, have them dry dishes until they are confident, then gradually introduce rinsing and washing.
- Spend time observing your child; you can learn a great deal by simply watching them.
« If the idea of the universe is presented to the child in the right way, it will do more for him than just arouse his interest, for it will create in him admiration and wonder, a feeling loftier than any interest and more satisfying. » – Maria Montessori
Source: several Montessori sites, including these: https://www.montessori.org.nz/ and https://montessoriparenting.org/