The Absorbing Mind, According To Maria Montessori

The absorbing mind is an essential concept in the pedagogical method developed by the doctor and educator Maria Montessori. Her theory tells how education should always be adapted to the developmental stages of childhood. In the following article, we will learn a little more about this term.

Maria Montessori’s research with children between the ages of 0 and 6 concluded that these children almost learned things directly. She compared children’s brains to a fungus, as they unconsciously absorb all the information from the various stimuli they encounter in their environment.

The absorbing mind of children, according to Montessori

Maria Montessori said that the most important thing for children’s learning is that they get to be part of their own experiences according to their own rhythms and needs. These experiences are then helpful for the children and their mental maturity.

So what did Montessori refer to by the term “absorbing mind”? It is children’s state of mind that helps them assimilate all the experiences they have. And at the same time, it allows them to then analyze these experiences and incorporate them into their learning. They do it unconsciously for the first three years of life and then become consciously aware of it for the next three years.

The absorbing mind also helps children to lay the foundation for the development of their mental and social identity. Maria Montessori established the childhood period as a crucial stage in human development. For this reason, it is important to provide children with a good education that encourages and offers them the necessary resources for learning and for building their identity.

The development of the absorbing mind in the form of sensitive periods

Another thing that this teacher realized was that the mind does not absorb information in the same way at all ages. Children focus their attention on stimuli around them, depending on what they need for their growth and development. For this reason, children concentrate on, or pay attention to, certain things and not on others.

In this way, they acquire knowledge almost effortlessly and for pleasure, as they approach the things that interest them. These interests depend on each child’s stage of development and are usually temporary. That’s why Montessori called them “sensitive periods.” Sometimes, however, these can overlap with each other and their intensity and duration can also vary.

So, what are the sensitive periods?

The sensitive period of order (from 0 to 6 years)

During this period, especially during the first two years of life, children show a great interest in classifying and categorizing everything around them. Order facilitates this.

The sensitive period of movement (from 0 to 5-6 years)

In this phase, children are particularly interested in movement and moving their body from one place to another. Even more so if they have already learned to walk.

The sensitive period of language learning (from 0 to 7 years)

During this period, children learn a wide range of words without anyone teaching them. They acquire it autonomously based on experience of stimuli in their environment.

The sensitive period of all senses (from 0 to 6 years)

During this stage, children develop their senses. From birth, children have active senses such as hearing and sight. But when they grow up, they develop these senses more sensitivity. This allows them to learn through taste, touch and smell.

The sensitive period of attention to detail (from 1 to 6-7 years)

During these ages, children have a special interest in small objects. They also show a greater need to pay attention to small details.

The sensitive period of social interaction and interaction (from uterus to 6 years)

This refers to the children’s need to relate to their peers. This category also includes the process of acquiring rules, which is important for a good coexistence in society.

As for the absorbing mind…

As you have seen, the absorbing mind is a concept introduced by Maria Montessori to refer to children’s special mental abilities at certain ages. Children, depending on age, have different interests for stimuli found in their environment. Children have such an amazing capacity for absorption that their senses absorb the information that helps them with their needs throughout their development.

For this reason, it is important that the pedagogical methods used for children not only promote the development of their intellectual capacity, but also encourage learning and are adapted to each sensitive period.