01/14/2024
Learning, by itself, cannot happen without concentration. Whether we are learning to tie our shoes, write our name, wash a car, or solve complex algebraic equations, there is intense concentration specific to the task at hand. Dr. Maria Montessori understood the power of concentration, and her methodology is designed to nurture this power.
I once had the pleasure of watching a two-year-old student discover glue. As she put her fingers in the glue jar, she then wiped them on the table, then began to put her fingers together noticing that they became sticky. Furthermore, the piece of paper on the table stuck to her hand. I did not rush to wash her hands or 'teach' her how I know how to use glue, though I was watchful, fearing she might put her fingers in her mouth. Rather, I sat nearby waiting until the glue began to dry, thus ending her concentration. She spent around 5-10 minutes in intense concentration on this new sensorial experience.
Concentration in toddlers is a fragile thing. Well-meaning adults often rush in to "fix" things. A whimper suddenly demands that new toys be offered, a frown means a change of scenery is required. Concentration is broken by the adult trying to shift the focus of the child. Indeed, Maria Montessori said, "no one acting from the outside can cause him to concentrate". -Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind, page 222
Our modern culture contains a multitude of distractions: video games, computers, television, and any number of sports or arts-related extra activities. Combined, these can create an overabundance of sensory stimulation.
Maintaining a calm, controlled, prepared Montessori environment and a clear approach to reducing distractions and sensory overload is an important task for Montessori teachers. This directed approach is designed to foster the power of concentration in children, so that they may grow to become happy, independent, and fulfilled adults!
