Normalization (Montessori)

by 01 Aug 2023Glossary

Normalization (Montessori)

In Montessori education, Normalisation is a term used to describe the process by which children move from a state of disorder or disorientation to a state of order and self-discipline through spontaneous concentration on work freely chosen.[1] Maria Montessori observed that when children are given the freedom to choose their activities and are provided with materials suitable for their developmental needs, they exhibit certain characteristics of normal development, including a love of work, an attachment to reality, and a preference for silence and working alone. Such “normalised” children are often happier, enthusiastic, generous, and helpful to others, and their work choices reflect their developmental stage.

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Montessori Quotes

  • “Free choice is one of the highest of all the mental processes.”[2]
  • “The first essential for the child’s development is concentration. The child who concentrates is immensely happy.”[3]