Process of Adaptation

Process of adapatation

Adaptation is related to the idea of the “absorbent mind”, that Dr. Montessori referred to it first. It is actually a process that younger children use. To adapt their environment to develop.

Children who follow the Montessori method, they show respect for their environment and other beings. They are ready to learn and absorb everything that is happening around them, because of their absorbent mind, which is ready to take in any information that is helpful for them to progress.

The process of adaptation has also to do with the sensitive periods. They are critical stages, which help us understand their needs and provide them during each sensitive period with the right stimulus in order to develop further.

What else is really significant, is that children in the classroom learn from each other. Always the older ones show activities or routines that we follow to the younger ones , who they tend to follow. Montessori method is a method that is based on self-directed activities. Every material in the classroom supports an aspect of child development. They do the activities in order to gain from them and they get to choose their own work and spend as much time as they need with it. They need to be concentrated in order to do the full activity and use their hands who are guided by their minds.

One day a child spilled some water on the water while he was watering our plants and after he was done and put all of his materials back in place, he went to get a cloth to wipe the water off the table. He has everything adapted in his mind. The way his activity is done and what happens if we have an accident. He follows that process in his mind and makes him feel safe and sure for his actions.

Children tend to adapt to new situations or changes, easier and better than the adults do. They are still in the process of learning and understanding the world around them. As children they are unfamiliar with some situations and their experiences are now developing so they are less able to deal with problems. That actually makes them happy with what they have at that exact moment!

Referred reading: “The discovery of the child”, Maria Montessori