Children go through three different stages of growth with different sub phases. I will be focusing mainly on phase one. Children go through six sensitive periods during the first phase of growth. The six sensitive periods are as follows, sensitivity to order, movement, small objects, language, refinement of the senses and sensitivity to the social aspects of life. All children go through these sensitive periods, (it) does not matter which country they come from or what their religion is. It is important that carers, parents and teachers support the children’s sensitive periods. If children are unable to master their sensitive periods it will cause many problems in their adult life. The child’s environment should be suitable for his/her sensitive periods.
According to Montessori’s philosophy children go through three stages of growth. Phase one is sub divided into two sub phases, namely, the spiritual embryonic (Montessori 2007b) stage and the social embryonic stage. Stage two is known as the childhood stage. Stage three is also sub divided into two stages, namely, the puberty stage and the adolescence stage.
In phase one, the spiritual embryonic stage is from birth to the age of three and the social embryonic stage is from the age of three to six. During the spiritual embryonic stage the child learns unconsciously through interaction with the environment. The child effortlessly starts to develop skills like walking and talking. This is where the child’s personality starts to grow and form a unique human being. By the age of three the child should have his own individual personality.
During the social embryonic stage the child begins to think for him/herself. Due to this they become independent and are not fully dependant on their care taker for their basic needs. The child starts to develop the basic skills like personal hygiene care. They are able to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong. The child’s skills in movement walking and...