The Absorbing Mind: That’s What It Is According To Maria Montessori
The absorbent mind is a fundamental concept in the pedagogical method developed by the doctor and pedagogue Maria Montessori. His theory tells us how education must always adapt to the stages of childhood development.
The studies that Maria Montessori carried out on children between 0 and 6 years led her to conclude that children learn almost immediately. According to her, children are sponges, since they unconsciously absorb all the information coming from different environmental stimuli.
The absorbent mind of children according to Montessori
Maria Montessori said that the most important aspect for children’s learning is the fact that they can live their experiences at their own pace and needs. These experiences will be what will help the little ones to mature psychologically.
Montessori defined “absorbing mind” that psychological condition of the child which allows him to assimilate all the experiences he lives, and then induce him to analyze and integrate them into his own learning. This process occurs unconsciously, during the first three years of life, but in the following three years the child becomes aware of it.
The absorbent mind helps the little ones to also lay the foundations for the development of their own psychic and social identity. Maria Montessori recognized childhood as a decisive stage in the growth of the individual. Precisely for this reason it is important to offer children a valid education, which nourishes them and gives them the necessary resources to learn and to build their own identity.
How does the absorbent mind develop? Sensory periods
Another aspect that the pedagogue realized is the fact that the mind does not absorb in the same way at any age. The child focuses his attention on the stimuli around him, based on what he needs for his own growth and development. Precisely for this reason, the little ones focus or show interest in some things rather than others.
In this way they acquire knowledge, almost effortlessly and for sheer pleasure, as they approach what arouses in their interest. These interests of the child depend on the stage of their development and are usually momentary, which is why they are called “sensitive periods”, although they can sometimes overlap with each other and their intensity and duration can vary. What are the sensitive periods?
The sensitive period of the order (from 0 to 6 years)
At this stage, especially in the first 2 years, children show great interest in the classification and categorization of everything around them and all this is supported by the order.
The sensitive period of the movement (from 0 to 5-6 years)
In this phase they show particular interest in movement and in moving from one point to another, especially if they have already learned to walk.
The sensitive period of language (0 to 7 years)
For the entire duration of this period, children acquire a vast vocabulary, without anyone teaching them. They acquire it independently, on the basis of the experience offered by the stimuli of the home environment.
The period of sensations (0 to 6 years)
In this phase, the senses develop. From birth, children activate the sense of hearing and sight, but as they grow up they acquire a greater sensitivity which, moreover, favors learning through taste, touch and smell.
The sensitive period of small objects (from 1 to 6-7 years)
At this stage they show a particular interest in small objects and show a greater need to pay attention to detail.
The sensitive period of social life (from development in the womb up to 6 years of age)
It refers to the need of children to relate to their peers, as well as to the process of acquiring the rules, which are important for civil coexistence within society.
Considerations on the absorbent mind.
As we have discovered, the absorbent mind is a concept introduced by Maria Montessori in reference to the special ability of the mind of children at all ages. The little ones, depending on their age, show a particular interest in certain stimuli coming from their environment. Like their absorption capacity, their mind absorbs according to the needs of a certain stage of their development.
For this reason it is important that the educational methods used by children not only contribute to the development of their intellectual abilities, but also promote learning, adapting to each sensitive period.
