Exploring the Sensitive Periods

What are the Sensitive Periods?

The Sensitive Periods are times in which the child has crucial, sensitive and critical periods of growth that encompasses both physiological and psychological growth and they occur from birth to age six. In The Secret of Childhood, Dr. Montessori writes: 

“A child’s different inner sensibilities enable him to choose from his complex environment what is suitable and necessary for his growth. They make the child sensitive to some things, but leave him indifferent to others. When a particular sensitiveness is aroused in a child, it is like a light that shines on some objects but not on others, making of them his whole world.” 

There are four sensitive periods in development and they include:

Order, movement, language and refinement of the senses.

These interconnected sensitive periods are transient blocks of time when the child is passionately involved with the environment. 

General Characteristics

There are four characteristics that offer support and proof for the existence of sensitive periods in the young child.

Sensitive periods are universal, meaning that they are evident in children around the world.  Even though they are evident, they may manifest differently depending on the environment of the child.

The sensitive periods can overlap. While they can overlap, they do not all peak at once with the same level of intensity.

Sensitive periods are transitory, meaning that the child will lose each sensitivity after a certain period of time.

And finally, sensitive periods are observable.

E.M. Standing writes, in his book, Maria Montessori: Her Life and Work: 

“When a sensitive period is in its height, we may compare it to a searchlight- coming from within the mind- illuminating certain parts of the environment, leaving the rest  in comparative obscurity. The effect of this luminous and selective ray of attention is such that, where before there was confusion and chaos, there now comes into being order and distinction.”

The Four Sensitive Periods*

Language 

Language is the longest sensitive period. It begins at birth and ends at age six.** The child, aided by the Absorbent Mind (which, remember, takes in everything like a viewfinder in a camera), learns with ease all the languages he or she is surrounded by. 

To support the sensitive period for language, the adults can speak clearly and slowly to children and avoid using baby talk. It’s helpful to use accurate vocabulary and accurate names for people, places and things. When a child mis-pronounces something, we can gently repeat it back to them correctly. 

Order 

Children have a strong desire for external order when they are in the first plane of development (0-6 years). This noticeably changes when children reach the second plane of development and have a strong desire to collect things. The purpose of order for the first plane child is to aid the child in orienting to the world and experience security when things are in place and he or she can trust the predictability of where things are located. This sensitive period peaks around age two. 

To support the sensitive period for order, we can offer organized spaces at home -keeping in mind that external order creates internal order (in the brain). We help the child by making sure that there is a place for everything and that everything stays in or is returned to its place.

Rotating toys, books and clothing periodically (not every week) can help reduce clutter in the home. Often, when the child is offered just a few things with which to play, the result is deeper, more meaningful and independent play.

Movement

The sensitive period for movement is from ages one through four and begins once the child can walk upright. Through exploration of the environment, the child’s intelligence and understanding is expanded.

Children learn kinetically - through movement - and are able to absorb and internalize before replicating movements of those in the child’s environment. 

To support the sensitive period for movement, allow your child to help you if they are interested.

To my surprise, at 9-10 months, my youngest was very interested in helping to unload the dishwasher. The second she would hear the squeak of the door, she toddled over and began to hand us plates and bowls. 

Refinement of the Senses

This sensitive period includes the refinement of sight, touch, taste, hearing and smell and it is present from birth through five years of age.

The senses are the gateways through which we take in impressions. Our senses are developed by our ability to discriminate, categorize and reason based upon our experiences in our environments.

The child takes in impressions and then sorts/classifies them through the senses. The degree of perception that the child develops is dependent upon how much the child is allowed to do (within reason, of course). 

To support this sensitive period, we should encourage exploration and discovery. It’s important for children to explore with their senses.

The Role of the Adult

Our role is to offer as much help as needed, as little as necessary - we strive to observe and offer just enough help.

If you are not sure whether or not to jump in- remember “not yet, stand back and wait and see.” These three phrases are key with guiding you to know when it’s time to jump in and offer support. 

Notes:

*There is some level of disagreement in the Montessori community about the actual number of Sensitive Periods. The four I’ve shared here are what I call the “core four” - they’re the most consistently observable.

**I firmly believe every child develops on their own timeline - whether they are neurotypical or neurodivergent. Even if it does not follow the exact timeline that Dr. Montessori observed so many years ago, there’s beauty in seeing how these Sensitive Periods manifest in each child, at their own pace.