Montessori:The Three period lesson

one of the approach in Montessori is the three period lesson, which i touch on in my previous entry on the book i Read esp in sensory development. I think i will blog in more detail on this approach for my future reference.

The three period lesson has 3 stages:
Stage 1
take 3 objects. Place one of the objects in front of child and say its name clearly. Do the same for each of the other two objects.

This stage is characterised by the words "This is a.."

Stage 2
Place all thees objects together and ask for one of them by name. Once your child has identified the object you want, mix all three up together and ask for another one. repeat this until she is able to identify the objects swiftly when you ask for them.
Encourage her to repeat the name of the object after you from time to time, but don't at this point ask her to try to remember the name.
Keep this stage interesting and fun by varying the requests you make and keep them short so that her attention is not distracted by the command.

This stage is characterized by the words "Give me the ..Show me the..Put the..Hold the..Touch the..Point to the.."

Stage 3
Point to one of the objects and ask child if she knows its name.Do the same for the other two objects. Repeat this step a few times until she is really convinced that she knows the names of the object.

This stage is categorized by the words "What is this? Do you know what this is ?"

The lesson follows a logical process, which helps children associate objects and ideas and, through a more flexible application, it can also be used to great effect in learning any new knowledge.

The first stage clearly sets out the parameter of what is to be learned.

The second stage gives your child time to actively connect the new information to her own experience, If you don't give this phase long enough she may not have had enough time to gain the new knowledge. If she is unable to remember the names of the objects during the third phase, this usually means she has not spent enough time learning them properly in this stage.

The third stage helps your child to identify what she now knows that she didn't know before. To know that you know gives confidence. She may use her new knowledge to extend her ideas and experience .

mm.. maybe i should start with fruits like apple/orange/pear with my missy ? since she now knows orange is on the altar and apple is in the poster..shall try out.