This series is about how the Montessori method teaches the Kannada language to children between three and six years. The first episode of the series clarifies what language really is, how human language is different from animals’. It also discusses five ways parents could enrich their children’s experiences to develop their vocabulary and express themselves clearly.
Episode 16 – Origin of the Montessori Method
Maria Montessori introduced the concepts of Learning through activity; Play is the work of the child etc. The Montessori method is not based on predetermined philosophies or ideas but on child psychology and the developmental needs of children. Dr Montessori began her work with differently-abled children but ended up working with normal children. The inception of the Montessori Method is an exciting story. Tune in!
Two Valuable Lessons for School Founders
I want to share two lessons that I learnt in my 30 years of professional life. I hope my lessons will help the school founders who have difficulties trusting others and letting go and who are offended when called businessmen/women.
Episode 14 – The Sensitive Period for Order
The Sensitive Period for Order starts when a child steps into two years and continues till three years. During this period, the child internalized the order in the environment, whether it is person, place or time. The child enjoys seeing things getting back to their positions. A routine helps him feel secure and stable in an environment that is new to him.
Episode 13 – The Sensitive Period for Language
This episode discusses the sensitive period of language, the first of all sensitive periods in the first stage of development. The child absorbs language and its nuances without much effort in the first two years.
If he misses the opportunity to develop the language in this period, he may have to put additional efforts to learn without reaping the same benefits.
Episode 12 – The Sensitive Periods
This episode presents how Dr Maria Montessori applied the sensitive periods for human development that were first recognized in the animal world. It discusses the characteristics, significance and consequences of neglecting the sensitive periods. One of the neglected sensitive periods was evidenced in the life of Aveyron boy, the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book’s Mogli. The concept of dropped stitches in our mental life when the sensitive periods are not fully utilized is explored.
Episode 11 – The Socially Conscious Individual of 12 to 18years
This episode presents the development between 12 and 18 years. The third stage of development is similar to the first stage of development in many ways. The child goes through several changes, transformations like in the first stage. The child is newly born during adolescence again as he has a new set of physical and psychological characteristics. He is getting prepared for the social life of society. Now, he needs a different prepared environment called ‘Erde-Kinder’ (Children of Earth). In these youth settlements around villages, the adolescents develop faith in themselves, gain economic independence, participate in social life and get ready for the bigger adult society. Tune in!
Episode 10 – The Tough Guy of 6 to 12years
This episode presents the developmental needs and characteristics of children between 6 and 12 years. Children of this age group are lean and tall but are strong and do not easily fall sick. They are outwardly bound and keen on exploring society. They have moved from ‘what’ to ‘Why’ questions and are interested in knowing what is fair and unfair, differentiating right from wrong.
Tune in!
Episode 9 – The Young Explorer of 3 to 6years
The podcast discusses the development of the child between 3 and 6 years, who still retains the Absorbent Mind, keeps exploring his environment, can choose and strives to be perfect. Provides insights into preparing the environment for the child passing through the time of grace and courtesy.
Episode 8 – Development from Birth to 3 Years
This episode presents the first phase of the first plane of development – birth to three years. Its characteristics, needs, and the help required to satisfy those needs to develop to the fullest.