Understanding the Montessori sensitive periods in children aged 0 to 3

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The first years of a child's life are crucial to his or her development. By observing children, Maria Montessori identified unique moments when children are particularly receptive to certain types of learning. During these so-called Montessori sensitive periods,children's interest is focused on one thing, a precise objective. Knowing how to identify and understand these periods is fundamental to supporting the natural development of toddlers.

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What is a Montessori sensitive period?

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The Montessori sensitive period refers to a specific phase of development when a child is particularly sensitive to certain stimuli and activities. During these phases, the child shows spontaneous interest and an enhanced ability to assimilate new skills.

Maria Montessori discovered that these periods are temporary. They occur at specific times between the ages of 0 and 3, and in some cases up to age 6. By respecting them, we can effectively support the child's development, while avoiding frustrations and blockages.

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The main Montessori sensitive periods for children aged 0 to 3

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During the first years of life, children go through several sensitive periods. They influence their physical, cognitive and emotional development. Here are some of the most important Montessori sensitive periods for children aged 0 to 3:

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1. Coordinated movement

Between 18 months and 4 years, children are particularly sensitive to movement and coordination. They have an intense need to move and climb. They explore their environment by manipulating and touching. They develop their gross and fine motor skills. They transport, decant, pour...

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2. The language

The sensitive language period is particularly marked between the ages of 2 months and 6 years. Children assimilate sounds, words and phrases with astonishing speed. They seek to communicate and understand the language around them. It's an ideal time to learn a second language. That's why at Esclaibes International Schools, children's courses to learn English during the school vacations are primarily aimed at 3-6 year olds.

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3. The order

From an early age, children show a natural attraction to order. They seek to understand their environment and organize it coherently. This gives them a sense of security, which is reinforced by daily routines. This is the period when children line up their animal figurines, toy cars, stuffed toys, dolls... It's one of those periods that's easy to identify.

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4. Small items

In their second year, children develop a fascination for small objects. He manipulates and explores them. It's a period that supports concentration and fine motor skills.

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5. Refinement of the senses

This sensitive period concerns the child's ability to refine sensory perceptions: sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. The child is naturally attracted by the subtle differences between objects and stimuli. They seek to explore, compare and distinguish details such as shades of color, textures, shapes and sounds.

In Montessori pedagogy, this period is essential, as it forms the basis for future learning, particularly in the scientific, artistic and practical fields.

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6. Social behavior

Maria Montessori spoke of grace and courtesy. Between the ages of 2 ½ and 6, children begin to show an increased interest in interacting with others. This is an essential period for developing social skills and understanding relational dynamics.

During this phase, the child naturally seeks to :

• integrate into a group ;
• cooperate ;
• learn the rules of community life.

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Some also refer to a period during which the child wishes to become potty-trained. Specific phases are also identified for writing, mathematics, reading and music. 

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How can we support the sensitive Montessori periods in children?

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To support each sensitive Montessori period in children aged 0 to 3, it's important to observe them carefully and create a suitable environment. The latter must particularly encourage exploration and autonomy to foster independent learning.

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How can we support the sensitive period of coordinated movement?

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• Create a safe environment: create spaces that encourage free motor skills, such as a mat on the floor, stable furniture for pulling up, or adapted steps.
• Offer a variety of motor activities: incorporate activities such as decanting (pouring water from one container to another), simple puzzles and construction games.
• Encourage independent movement: let children climb, crawl or walk without interfering too much, while ensuring their safety.
• Use Montessori tools: introduce ramps, objects to manipulate or games that encourage hand-eye coordination.

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You can rely on the benefits of Montessori practical living. This is a space found in Montessori classes for 3-6 year-olds, and can be set up at home.

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The activities on offer, using everyday materials from the kitchen, laundry and workshop, encourage the development of coordinated gestures, fine motor skills and increasingly precise movements. They also contribute to children's autonomy and concentration.

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How can we support language development?

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This could be the subject of a separate article. But in the meantime, here are a few tips:

• Talk a lot with your child: use rich, precise language, even in simple conversations. Name the objects around him and describe what you're doing.
• Read books regularly: choose illustrated children's books and use them to enrich your child's vocabulary.
• Sing and play with sounds: nursery rhymes, songs and rhyming games help develop phonetic awareness, which your child will need for reading.
• Listen to your child: encourage him to express himself, even if he stammers, uses signs or simple words. Show that you are attentive to his efforts.

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How to accompany the order period?

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• Establish clear routines: children like landmarks. Regular mealtimes, naps and bedtimes give them a sense of security.
• Organize the space in a coherent way: every object should have a defined place. This helps children understand their environment and develop a sense of order.
• Involve the child in tidying up: Turn tidying up into a fun activity in which the child actively participates.
• Respect his sensitivity to order: If a child lines up toys or rearranges objects, let him do so. This responds to a natural need for structure.

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What role can small objects play during the sensitive Montessori period?

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• Offer objects adapted to your child's size: provide Montessori toys and tools designed to be manipulated by small hands, such as dressing frames or stacking games.
• Encourage tactile exploration: let your child handle everyday objects (under your supervision) such as spoons, corks and nuts.
• Stimulate fine motor skills: suggest activities such as stringing beads, sorting buttons or filling containers.
• Supervise without interrupting: let the child concentrate as much as he likes on these little manipulations.

You can also collect a whole host of small objects in a box: little figurines, Playmobil accessories, key rings... Children can spend long minutes exploring the contents of the box, again and again, asking you what a particular object is called. It's a great opportunity to enrich vocabulary, why not in a second language to develop bilingualism.

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How can we encourage the refinement of the senses?

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• Introduce a variety of sensory experiences: play with textures (sand, modeling clay, fabrics...), colors (paint, sorting colored blocks) and sounds (musical instruments).
• Use sensory Montessori materials: rough tablets, color bars or sound boxes are ideal for refining the senses.
• Encourage outdoor exploration: let the child touch the leaves, smell the flowers, listen to the birds or walk barefoot in the grass. You can set up a sensory trail with several bins containing different materials in which the child can walk barefoot.
• Encourage culinary discoveries: introduce different flavors and textures to develop taste.

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How can you help your child develop psychosocial skills?

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• Lead by example: children learn by imitation. Use words like "please" and "thank you" to teach politeness.
• Teach him simple social gestures: how to greet, wait his turn, offer an object or ask for help.
• Encourage interaction with other children: organize group games or outings where he can practice cooperation.
• Use role-playing: simulate social situations (offering a glass of water, saying hello) to help him understand interactions.
• Encourage empathy: help your child to recognize and express his or her own emotions, but also to understand those of others.

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4 key tips for parents

• Observe your child: take the time to identify his or her interests and behaviors. Sensitive periods are unique to each child.
• Be patient and benevolent: respect his rhythm and avoid forcing him to carry out activities that don't interest him.
• Create a prepared environment: an organized, enriching space allows children to explore independently.
• Be actively involved: be there to meet his needs, but let him discover for himself as much as possible.

By understanding and supporting these sensitive Montessori periods, you're laying the foundations for your child's harmonious, balanced development. This promotes not only cognitive and motor skills, but also emotional and social well-being.

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How do we respect the Montessori sensitive periods in Little Lions daycare centers?

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At the Little Lions Montessori day nursery in Clichy and at the Marseille day nursery, we do our utmost to support each child while respecting his or her sensitive Montessori periods.

Our day nurseries don't just meet basic needs: they're designed to provide a rich, stimulating environment that nurtures every stage of development.

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An environment prepared to meet natural needs

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Our spaces are carefully designed to promote independence and encourage natural learning. Here's how:

• Areas dedicated to specific activities: each room is organized into distinct areas (movement, language, refinement of the senses, practical life) to enable children to freely choose their activities.
• Adapted Montessori materials: our educators use materials specially designed to meet the needs of sensitive periods, such as dressing frames, color tablets and transfer games.
• An aesthetic, orderly environment: Maria Montessori stressed the importance of external order in calming children's minds. In our crèches, everything is in its place to provide a structured, reassuring environment.

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Special attention for each sensitive period

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Our educators, trained in Montessori pedagogy, carefully observe each child to identify sensitive periods and adapt activities accordingly:

• For coordinated movement: children have open spaces to explore in complete safety, with motor trails, adapted steps or ramps.
• For language: language activities such as nomenclature cards and daily reading immerse children in a rich vocabulary.
• For order: we involve children in maintaining order, giving them age-appropriate responsibilities, such as tidying up an activity or cleaning up their space.
• For the refinement of the senses: our nurseries integrate a variety of sensory workshops, from exercises with textures and colors to listening games to refine their auditory perception.
• For social behavior: we encourage children to interact with respect and kindness. Group meals and playtime encourage cooperation.

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Caring and supportive educators

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Our teams play a key role in creating a warm and serene atmosphere.

• They observe without intervening unnecessarily, leaving the child to experiment on his own.
• They intervene in a targeted way to guide or support, ensuring that each activity respects the child's sensitivities.

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Active collaboration with parents

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At Little Lions, we believe that partnership with families is essential to respect sensitive periods:

• Regular exchanges: we share with parents our observations of their child's development.
• Workshops and advice: we offer sessions to explain sensitive periods and show how to extend support at home.

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By respecting the Montessori sensitive periods, our Little Lions crèches offer children much more than childcare: they enable them to develop in an environment where every detail has been designed to meet their natural needs. This is one of the benefits of a Montessori school or crèche. Thanks to this approach, we are laying the foundations for sustainable, balanced development. Come and join us!