“Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future.”–Dr. Maria Montessori
The birth of a child is a joyous occasion for the family. It has been known that the child begins physical as well as psychic development at inception.
Of the four planes of development in a child, the 0-3 is the first plane of development during which period the child unfolds its potential at his/her pace. When the child is born he / she absorbs the outer world totally. There comes a phase in a child’s life where the child can classify the environment in terms of color, touch, shape, smell etc. A toddler at 18 months can match objects to the respective pictures. Around 2 ½ years of age, the child experiences more developmental needs and a Montessori environment is prepared for the child to unfold his / her potential. The activities set up in the prepared environment are displayed in an aesthetic manner and the child is attracted towards these activities and has lot of freedom to perform these activities. The child’s developmental needs are satisfied. The Montessori environment also lends itself to a sense of order and the child has an innate sense of order which should be fostered.
Let us be sensitive to the child’s needs and respect him/ her.