Sensorial Education in Montessori

When we want to stimulate the child’s senses we start them with the sensory tables. Each table consists of a tub that stimulates a different sense. When you stimulate the senses you help to stimulate the child cognitively, and emotionally as well. This can be achieved through science experiments such as the one we did over the holiday with a pumpkin and what does it smell like and feel like on the first day what about before it is carved vs after it is carved. We do this with all the kids from ages 3 to school age.

This study is based on the assumptions that sensory diets provide children sensorimotor experiences that meet their sensory needs in terms of type and intensity of the stimuli. These

In terms of understanding of the world the children used their senses to investigate objects and materials by used. The children also constructed letters with an object and adapted their work where necessary.

How does sensory processing disorder affect learning? Sensory input plays an important role in learning. The effect of and impact of sensory processing difficulties are not fully understood or researched. Play helps children learn cooperation skills, appropriate social skills, conflict resolution, and about friendships. However, research has shown the correlation between sensory processing, play, and learning is unclear and inconsistent. (Watts, Stagnitti, & Brown, 2014). This is the second reason for the controversy surrounding sensory processing disorder. There is no clear cut or valid proof that sensory processing difficulties effect learning. Parents of children with sensory processing difficulties will disagree. There children struggle every day with things that typical developing children can perform without any difficulty or thought. Treatment for sensory processing disorder is limited and extremely expensive for parents. Treatment for sensory processing disorder involves a “sensory diet” which is an individual plan designed to help the individual function. (Delaney, 2008). Typical

Some of the senses that are vital during the growth of the child are: hearing, vision, smelling and tasting, ability to speak and feeling pain; they are the basic improvements in the child’s mental growth, they help the child in the perception of the general occurrences in the world around the child. After the child have developed the basic senses to the major aspects of life that is when they will be able to develop permanent images of objects even if they are not there at the moment. The sensorimotor nerves of a child develops as the child make primitive movements, these improves the reflex response of a child (Piaget, & Inhelder, 2010).

A sensory activity is an activity intended to achieve a particular sensory result. Sensory activity promotes sensory integration which is the ability of the body to integrate and process all of the information it receives from either, touch, taste, smell, hearing and vision (Creative collection for kids, 2017). They can learn about special concepts (full, empty), learn pre-math concepts as well as language and vocabulary. Getting them involved in messy play is an essential component to learning which encourages exploration and discovery through play.

   4. BODILY/KINESTHETIC - children who experience learning best through activity: games, movement, hands-on tasks, building. These children were often labeled "overly active" in traditional classrooms where they were told to sit and be still!

The above points also shows the roles of “nature” and “nurture” with regard to the interpretation and evaluation of sensory data

The term “sensory diet”, was coined by Patricia Wilbarger and included an individualized activity plan designed with the emphasis on timing, intensity, and sensory qualities and intended to decrease sensory defensiveness (P. Wilbarger & Wilbarger, 2001). Currently, the term “sensory diet” is used by therapists to refer to interventions that use sensorimotor activities multiple times a day to facilitate the participants’ ability to organize sensory stimuli. For this study, sensory diet will encompass an individualized activity plan consisting of a variety of activities to deliver vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile or a combination of sensory stimuli to facilitate sensory processing skills throughout a school day.

In reality, the children move about the classroom independently, choosing the order of their learning activities. There may be 15 or more activities, or ?jobs? as they are called in some Montessori classrooms, occurring at the same time with small groups or individual work, yet the classroom remains quiet, yet busy and productive, sometimes with the soft hush of classical music playing in the background. Many Montessori school classrooms place a card around the child?s neck with the day?s objectives written in the form of a checklist for the students to monitor themselves. This checklist encourages the students to take responsibility for their own learning, as well as discourages prompt-dependence, since the student need not wait for instruction. Some of the activities in a Montessori classroom include reading, pre-reading using phonics, math, discovery science and writing. Children learn skills in a way that he or she is not aware that learning is taking place. For example, a child playing in the sand box with a small rake is not aware that he or she is learning fine motor skills and how to hold and control a pencil. Another observation in a Montessori classroom is that most classrooms tend to span three grade levels. This practice allows to children to become mentors to younger students. Also, the large gap in developmental levels allows children to ?learn at their own pace? (Keller, 2001), which is another important Montessori

• The theory of sensory integration implies that learning depends on sensory and motor capacities

Four year olds are still very much learning through the use of their senses (Blaustein, 2005). As well, some children may have special needs concerning sensory processing and integration (Ayers, 1994). Children with sensory processing disorders range from over-responsive, under-responsive, to sensory craving (Ayers, 1994). Nonetheless, every person encounters a plethora of sensory stimuli each day and must take in information and integrate it with prior knowledge to make meaningful responses (Ayers, 1994). Multisensory centers provide young children with and without special needs with the opportunity to seek out sensory stimulation, acquire sensory integration and motor skills, learn coping skills, and understand basic scientific concepts (Blaustein, 2005).

Watching a small child discover how to operate his or her favorite plaything is awe inspiring. The look of wonder at the item as it's carefully chosen from amongst their belongings and studied ever so carefully for each and every nuance. How that little face lights up with each new discovery no matter how large or small. The sounds of delight an even dismay at an unwanted result are beautiful. Consider an educational system that would continue to utilize a child’s natural curiosity, unyielding ingenuity and thirst for knowledge. Montessori education creates that environment for children by allowing them the freedom to not only gain knowledge in a natural progression, but also provide a basis on which to continue to grow no matter where

Babies and toddlers learn through their five senses. It is through the senses and the development of gross and fine motor skills that children are able to explore their environment and learn (Rowan). When babies and toddlers are introduced to technology and learning programs on tablets, computers or the television, they are prevented from

How is the child’s exploration and orientation in his physical environment complimented by the Montessori materials and presentation?