Human Tendencies- This blog will take you through certain tendencies observed in children. These tendencies form a basis for many Montessori directed activities.
But what do we mean by the word "tendency"? The Britannica dictionary defines it as “The State of being directed towards some purpose or result or end. They are natural impulses that direct an individual to perform certain actions without a conscious plan, providing him individual satisfaction.
These tendencies are present at all ages of our lives but they vary in proportion.
When the human tendencies are blocked or somehow prevented from manifesting, children will exhibit behaviors like temper tantrums, anger, an inability to concentrate, or excessive shyness.
Dr. Montessori was able to identify distinct human tendencies, the same tendencies that have accounted for man’s survival since his first appearance on earth – Order, Orientation, Exploration, Communication, Work (purposeful activity), Exactness, Repetition, Abstraction, Self-Perfection, Mathematical Mind.
1. Order and Orientation
Everything in nature has an order, the sun, the moon, weather patterns and disturbance of any of these would lead to disturbance in life. This sense of order prevails in human beings also, right from birth. It is a natural process.
Order is of two kinds; an internal order and an external order. Internalizing order means maintaining a sense of routine for waking up, sleeping, eating, playing etc.
For example, if one morning we dressed our child before brushing his teeth, another morning we brush his teeth first, and the following morning we forget to brush his teeth all together, our child may have temper tantrums while getting ready because there is neither order nor precision in their environment.
4. Work/Activity.
But what do we mean by the word "tendency"? The Britannica dictionary defines it as “The State of being directed towards some purpose or result or end. They are natural impulses that direct an individual to perform certain actions without a conscious plan, providing him individual satisfaction.
These tendencies are present at all ages of our lives but they vary in proportion.
When the human tendencies are blocked or somehow prevented from manifesting, children will exhibit behaviors like temper tantrums, anger, an inability to concentrate, or excessive shyness.
Dr. Montessori was able to identify distinct human tendencies, the same tendencies that have accounted for man’s survival since his first appearance on earth – Order, Orientation, Exploration, Communication, Work (purposeful activity), Exactness, Repetition, Abstraction, Self-Perfection, Mathematical Mind.
1. Order and Orientation
Everything in nature has an order, the sun, the moon, weather patterns and disturbance of any of these would lead to disturbance in life. This sense of order prevails in human beings also, right from birth. It is a natural process.
Order is of two kinds; an internal order and an external order. Internalizing order means maintaining a sense of routine for waking up, sleeping, eating, playing etc.
For example, if one morning we dressed our child before brushing his teeth, another morning we brush his teeth first, and the following morning we forget to brush his teeth all together, our child may have temper tantrums while getting ready because there is neither order nor precision in their environment.
External order helps children orient themselves to the space around them e.g. where things are found, physical order of things around them. Order brings predictability and orientation brings security. Once there is order and orientation then the child can explore.
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| Sense of order through materials |
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| Order of keeping things back in place |
2. Exploration
Children are naturally curious, and love to use their senses to learn more about the world around them. We are all born with an inquiring mind. Its the opportunities given, that facilitate or block this mind. A child explores by imitating, not just replicating what he sees but by interpreting and reproducing it in his own way. The child has the power of the intellect and through experience he gains controlled coordination and his intelligence expands as he develops movement. Experiences laid out in the child's environment must be real and rich to enhance this inquiring mind with little interference of the adult.
Children are naturally curious, and love to use their senses to learn more about the world around them. We are all born with an inquiring mind. Its the opportunities given, that facilitate or block this mind. A child explores by imitating, not just replicating what he sees but by interpreting and reproducing it in his own way. The child has the power of the intellect and through experience he gains controlled coordination and his intelligence expands as he develops movement. Experiences laid out in the child's environment must be real and rich to enhance this inquiring mind with little interference of the adult.
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| Exploration of colours and sizes |
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| Exploration of different shapes |
3. Creative Imagination
It is the next step after exploration: once you have found something interesting, you will quite naturally want to use it in some way. This is how the concept of "tools" began. Creative is not fantasy. We do not have the natural tools but with our intelligence we manipulate to suit our needs. Through the use of images and experience, we make the ideas a reality. Many of our children use materials in the class using their imagination. They modify the use of these resources to meet their individual needs or as per their perception.
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| Developing imagination through stories |
Maria Montessori believed that it was through work that a child constructed his true self. Work leads to a feeling of accomplishment and self-respect. This work in Montessori is laid out systematically at child's reach in terms of activities. These activities are developmental and they meet the needs of the child. The work the child does is very essential and the environment stimulates him.
5. Group Orientation/Communication
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| Developmental activities |
Various types of communication include the written and spoken words, touch, facial expressions, gestures, art, music, and dance. We pass on ideas, concepts and emotions to another person through communication. A man has a natural herd instinct. Therefore, we orient children to activities through groups. We encourage an open communication and help children orient themselves to the world around them through activities.
6. Repetition
This occurs when a child repeats a task over and over again. Often times it is with the intent to master the task, but even after mastery occurs, a child may continue to repeat the activity for the sheer pleasure of doing so. Through our own experiences we see that tendency of repetition is essential. In order to do something well we repeat till we master it. When we repeat, we reach self control and confidence which leads to exactness and, perfection.
7. Abstraction
This is truly the characteristic that sets us apart from animals. We are able to visualize events that have not yet occurred; we are able to feel and express emotions that are not tangible. We can imagine something that exists only in our minds, and then take the steps to make it happen. We at Casa Vista Montessori lay a foundation with concrete experiences which drive children to this path of abstraction. Through stories, picture talks and other materials we pave a path to abstraction.
8. Mathematical Mind
We all have the tendency for exactness which comes through calculation, order, and precision. We calculate for performing even the smallest of tasks like pouring water in a glass, knowing when to stop pouring when the glass is about to get filled up to the brim. Even when we cross the road we calculate. There is computation all the time for simple activities such as sitting on a chair, walking, judging distances, climbing stairs. In the words of Pascal, “Man has the propensity to calculate”. In order to calculate we need to concentrate. This is the mathematical human tendency that leads to scientific discoveries based on precise detailed observation.
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| Repeating the same activity on different days |
This is truly the characteristic that sets us apart from animals. We are able to visualize events that have not yet occurred; we are able to feel and express emotions that are not tangible. We can imagine something that exists only in our minds, and then take the steps to make it happen. We at Casa Vista Montessori lay a foundation with concrete experiences which drive children to this path of abstraction. Through stories, picture talks and other materials we pave a path to abstraction.
8. Mathematical Mind
We all have the tendency for exactness which comes through calculation, order, and precision. We calculate for performing even the smallest of tasks like pouring water in a glass, knowing when to stop pouring when the glass is about to get filled up to the brim. Even when we cross the road we calculate. There is computation all the time for simple activities such as sitting on a chair, walking, judging distances, climbing stairs. In the words of Pascal, “Man has the propensity to calculate”. In order to calculate we need to concentrate. This is the mathematical human tendency that leads to scientific discoveries based on precise detailed observation.
We provide direct and indirect opportunities in school to fine tune the Mathematical mind with varied activities.
The greatest development is achieved during the first years of life, and therefore it is then that the greatest care should be taken. If this is done, then the child does not become a burden; he will reveal himself as the greatest marvel of nature- Maria Montessori
References- Montessori essays- The Human Tendencies
Team Casa Vista.
The greatest development is achieved during the first years of life, and therefore it is then that the greatest care should be taken. If this is done, then the child does not become a burden; he will reveal himself as the greatest marvel of nature- Maria Montessori
References- Montessori essays- The Human Tendencies
Team Casa Vista.
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