Need of Order

The need of order

As children grow, you might have noticed that order is something they need in their life. Most of the things are happening to them because they just do not know and they are in the process of learning. By knowing what will happen it gives them a sense of control of their lives and it is easier for them to handle their days.

In our classroom we experience their need of order throughout the day so many times. One example that we can give you is that right after our morning snack, as soon as they are done, they tend to go to their cubbies to put on their coats, because they know that after our snack we go out!

That is their routine. The routine gives them a sense of security and stability, which is why they need it, in order to feel safe in their environment, especially a new one like their classroom. Our activities are placed on the shelves and children tend to put them back exactly where they are and if someone misplace them they will ask them to put it in the right place! An orderly environment also helps them create their internal order.

The Montessori environment, establishes a calm and peaceful place for children to grow their own personalities and knowledge. We are part of this environment as teachers and we need to keep the classroom in order and be there for them to assist them in any way we can.

One of our students specifically, one day, he was following a visitor/ student that we had for only an hour in the classroom and he was just looking at him and screaming on his face “No!” , whenever he was not doing an activity properly or was misplacing or moving items around! His sense of order is really strong and he wants his environment and his materials to be in the order. He got used to this and he wants everyone else to follow it!

If you have a place where you put their pyjamas or a specific way for preparing dinner, you will see it at home as well! That sense of order! They can even tell the time without knowing to read it! If for example, dad comes home and while he is getting into his routine, you and your little one set the table, this is what he expects to be happening when dad gets home!

Consistency in they daily life will help them be calmer and feel safer.

As Dr. Montessori says:

“Order is one of the needs of life which, when it is satisfied, produces a real happiness”. What we really want for them is to be happy! We need to help them keep their happiness and become role models for the younger ones.

Recommended reading: “Understanding the human being”, by Silvana Quattrochi Montanaro, MD.