The Absorbing Mind According To Montessori
The absorbing mind is an essential concept in the pedagogical method developed by the physician and pedagogue Maria Montessori. His theory tells us how education must always adapt to the stages of child development. In the following lines, we will learn a little more about this term.
Maria Montessori’s research with children aged 0 to 6 years concluded that these little ones learn almost instantly. She compared them to a sponge, as they unconsciously absorb all the information from the different stimuli present in the environment.
The absorbing mind of children according to Montessori
Maria Montessori said that the most important thing for children’s learning is that they can live their own experiences according to their rhythms and needs. It is these experiences that will help the little ones to acquire mental maturity.
Montessori called an absorbing mind the mental state of the child that helps them to assimilate all the experiences they live and then analyze them and incorporate them into their learning. This is done unconsciously over the first three years and becomes conscious for the next three years.
The absorbing mind also helps children lay the groundwork for the development of their psychic and social identity. Maria Montessori established the childhood period as a decisive stage in people’s development. Therefore, it is important to provide children with a good education that encourages and offers the necessary resources for their learning and for the construction of their identity.
How is the absorbing mind developing? sensitive periods
Another thing the pedagogue noticed was that the mind did not absorb in the same way at all ages. The child focuses his attention on the stimuli around him, depending on what he needs for his growth and development. Therefore, the little ones focus or pay attention to some things and not others.
Thus, they acquire knowledge almost effortlessly and for pleasure, as they approach what generates interest. These interests of the child depend on the stage of their development and are usually temporary, which is why she called them “sensitive periods”, although sometimes they can overlap and their intensity and duration can vary. What are sensitive periods?
The sensitive period of the order (0 to 6 years)
During this period, especially in the first 2 years, children show great interest in classifying and categorizing everything around them and this is favored through order.
The sensitive period of movement (0 to 5-6 years)
At this stage, children show a special interest in movement and in moving from one side to the other, even more if they have already learned to walk.
The sensitive period of language (0 to 7 years)
During this period, children learn a wide vocabulary, without anyone teaching them. It is acquired autonomously, based on experience and the stimuli around it.
The sensitive period of the development of the senses (0 to 6 years)
During this period, the senses develop. From birth, children have active senses of hearing and vision, but as they grow older, they acquire greater sensitivity, which, above all, is facilitated, in order to learn through taste, touch and smell.
The sensitive period of small objects (1 to 6-7 years)
During this period, they have a special interest in small objects and show a greater need to pay attention to detail.
The sensitive period of social life (from life in the womb to age 6)
It refers to the need that children have to relate to their peers, in addition to the process of acquiring norms, which are important for a good coexistence in society.
As for the absorbing mind…
As you can see, the absorbing mind is a concept introduced by Maria Montessori to refer to the special mental capacity of children at certain ages. The little ones, depending on their age, have different interests for the stimuli around them. As well as your absorption capacity, your mind absorbs according to your needs throughout development.
Therefore, it is important that the educational methods used with children not only promote the development of their intellectual abilities, but also encourage learning and are adapted to each sensitive period.
