Bookmark UsWithin 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.
The following are the Sensitive Periods for Children Aged from Birth to 6 years of Age:
Sensitive Period for Order (age 18 months to 2 years)
Sensitive Period for Language (birth to 6 years)
Sensitive Period for Movement (birth to 4 years)
Sensitive Period for Refinement of the Senses (birth to 5 years)
Sensitive Period for Weaning (5 to 6 months)
Sensitive Period for Numbers (4 to 5.5 years)
Sensitive Period for Manners and Courtesies (2 to 6 years)
10 responses so far ↓
1 Carolyn // Jan 30, 2009 at 12:04 am
I love, love, love your whole site. My daughter-in-law works and is studying Montessori and I type her assignments.
It’s midlight in Australia and I just can’t stop reading all this. So great. Thank you
2 yuvas // Apr 22, 2009 at 5:33 pm
My son was planning to marry & I decided to study Montessori in readiness for the grandchildren. I’m just loving it & wished I had used it on my kids. Thank You
3 Bhavna Bachani // Jun 30, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I run a montessori ‘First Steps’ in dubai since last year, its amazing to see the positive effects of montessori education on overall development of children, i regret i didnt know about it when my own children needed it. I Love Montessori Method
4 NATHALIE BOULANGER // Aug 17, 2009 at 12:08 pm
I found this site very interesting, I am presentely to study to become a assistant guide. This site is wonderfull. Montessori method is from far the best way to respond to the needs that our childrens have. Knowing what is a child in is integral aspect, would really help to understand them and help them to become…leaders of tomorrow!
5 Kristy Rackham // Sep 19, 2009 at 10:07 pm
is anything said about a sensitive period for toilet training? My 21 month old began telling me about ‘poo poo’ at 17 months and was very interested in the whole toilet process including sitting on it. We gave him plenty of positive reinforcement and eveything was going really well, then one day at around 20 months he just refused to use the toilet and won’t use it since. I keep asking if he wants to use the toilet but have not forced the issue.
6 REPLY TO KRISTY RACKHAM // Nov 11, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Hey Kristy, my son did the same! now he is 28 months and still hasn’t returned to the potty/toilet. i guess they go back to it in time…i do the same as you: talking to him about toileting and asking if he needs to go, to run to the toilet or potty. and if i need to go i tell him, and verbalise that i have to go to the toilet to do it (hoping that will catch on, that if you have to go, you go to that plac!). also, must say if he takes off his trainer pants and runs around naked, he’ll now utter “mama” just before he wees on the floor! i say to him then, oh, next time we’ll go to the potty! let’s get a cloth and wipe thsi up!
hope i’m doing the right thing!
7 Ali Mujahid // Oct 26, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Great Info. My students here at University of Educatrion (Lahore, Pakistan) have learned a lot about Montesori’s ideas & their applications in real life from your interesting & informative blog. Especially my male students are amazed to learn. -:)
8 Bhawna Ranka // Oct 2, 2011 at 1:39 am
write now m learning this education and m finding it really interesting ..
9 Bint-e-Ahmed // Oct 28, 2011 at 5:08 pm
Montessori system is great.I am working with the youngest (2.5-3.5 years) and i believe that i am going through the most beautiful phase of my life.
10 Salma // Dec 20, 2011 at 2:22 am
Thanks a lot.. really worth..
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