According to the Montessori approach, concentration plays a critical role in a child's learning and development. Concentration is the ability to focus attention on a particular task or activity for an extended period of time. Concentration is essential for learning, because a child who can concentrate is more likely to learn deeply and retain information for longer periods of time. Children who are concentrate well also may exhibit better self-discipline.
One key for developing concentration is providing children with engaging, self-directed activities. Parents and teachers can foster concentration by observing the child and providing activities that the child is interested in. The Montessori materials and activities are carefully designed to appeal to a child's interests and curiosity and to provide the right level of challenge to promote focus and engagement.
Another way to support the development of concentration is to create a calm, orderly environment that minimizes distractions and interruptions. The prepared environment is designed to be peaceful and inviting, with materials and activities that are visually appealing and stimulating without being overwhelming.
Another important aspect of Montessori is allowing children to work at their own pace and empowering them to choose their own activities. Children should be allowed to repeat an activity over and over without interruption as much as possible. By giving children the freedom to explore and learn on their own terms, they are more likely to become engaged and focused on their work.
We support Sophie's concentration at home by providing an organized, accessible environment and minimizing distractions. She is able to access her materials, which I choose based on my observations of her and what I think she will be drawn to. We keep the TV off most of the time and I will even sometimes put our dogs in another room if I know Sophie will be working on shelf work for a while. Although we sometimes play music at home, we primarily provide opportunities for her to concentrate with no background noise if she is playing and exploring her shelves. If she is focused on an activity, I try not to interrupt her if it's not necessary. I allow and even encourage her to repeat a work over and over if she wants to. While we're reading books, I even try to wait to turn the page until she is finished looking at the page we are currently on.
The development of concentration is a very important element of the Montessori approach and can be fostered by providing toys and materials children are interested in, minimizing distractions and interruptions, and allowing them to explore and make their own choices as much as possible. By promoting concentration, we are helping children to develop the focus and discipline they need to learn.
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