Discuss How the Role of the Teacher Changes in the Process of the Child's Growing Normalisation
‘The transition from one stage to another always follows a piece of work done by the hands with real things, work accompanied by mental concentration.’ (Montessori, 2007a, pg.186) This is what Montessori termed ‘normalisation’.
Montessori (2007a) said that the life of an individual from 0 to 18 years may be divided into three periods – 0-6 years, 6 – 12 years and 12-18 years old. The first period 0-6 years old is the most important part of life which is one of creativeness. It is important to note that from birth to three years adults cannot directly influence the mind of a child hence it must be nature that lays the foundations. A child in this first period mentioned above does not know right from wrong as he is unaware of adults and society’s principles. In the second period of 6-12 years the child begins to become conscious of right and wrong of his actions. Moral consciousness is being formed and this leads later to social sense. The third period from 12-18 years is that of patriotism when social awareness is apparent. Although each period is different each lays the foundation for the one following and the success of each foundation positively influences the subsequent. ‘We serve the future by protecting the present.’(Montessori, 2007a, pg 177) The most critical years of life are those from birth to three years, as a child’s personality is developed however if obstacles are encountered the child’s personality deviates. Montessori (2007a) believed that a model individual is one who at three has not encountered any deviations. Her prognosis of a child between 0-3 years with deviations was curable during the period of 3-6 years as this is when nature is still perfecting many newly formed powers. However if the defects in this period are not corrected they remain and get worse and have an influence on the second main period when as mentioned above begins the...