Will (1 3/4) adding more objects to the "fun game" in late 1986.
Last week, I talked about my son, Will’s, fascination at a young age with matching small objects to sandpaper letters according to each object’s initial sound. His intense interest led him to learn the phonetic sounds effortlessly. He even called it the “fun game.” More was at work than interest, though.
We often hear about the formative period from birth to age 6 in which mental development proceeds at its fastest rate. Maria Montessori believed that young children have special inner aids to help them in this development. She called one of those aids the “absorbent mind.”
Will (1 3/4) expanding to names of vehicles for the "fun game" in early 1987.
Montessori observed that children learn in a different way from adults. During the first six years, the child is able to learn effortlessly from the environment, soaking in impressions like a sponge.
In her book The Absorbent Mind, Dr. Montessori says:
The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age six. For that is the time when man’s intelligence itself, his greatest implement, is being formed.
What examples have you observed of your child’s absorbent mind?
I'm Deb Chitwood. My header photo models are my children, Christina, at 1 1/2, my son, Will, at 3, and Christina again at 16. Christina is now 22, and Will is 27. Please see the 
LOVE your blog (as always). Thank you for linking up with iFellowship.
Meghan
http://www.thetuckerstaketennessee.com http://www.facebook.com/hiphomeschoolmoms http://www.seedsoffaithwomen.com
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Thanks so much for your kind words about my blog, Meghan! I just found this is in the wrong folder! At least I know where to double check each day now…
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Activity of the Week – Montessori Outdoors- Numbers and Counters
I love your blog too, my 3 yr old is a ‘Montessori boy’ and truly independent, that’s the Montessori way
Stopping by from ifellowship!
Have a blessed day!
Amy Steiner recently posted..In His Time
Thanks for visiting, Amy! I hope you have a blessed day as well!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Your Young Child’s Amazing- Absorbent Mind
Happy iFellowship day!
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Thanks for visiting, and happy iFellowship Day to you, too!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Your Young Child’s Amazing- Absorbent Mind
Great post! Dr. Montessori was so correct about their absorbent minds, wasn't she?
So neat how their minds work, isn't it?
Love the photos of your son engaged in his "fun game."
At night time, when we are getting ready for bed, some of the things that my sons share highlight their absorbent minds…
At the moment, Little Bro is very fascinated by exploring light and shadow…Big Bro is into trying to come up with inventions…I wrote a post about how they share their thoughts with us at bedtime in this post:
http://sunriselearninglab.blogspot.com/2010/07/ma…
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Thanks so much for your kind words, Colleen! Your family bedtime ritual is beautiful – and such perceptive comments from your boys!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..A Montessori Approach to Homeschool Art
It's amazing how our minds works so wonderfully at such an early age! Wish my mind soaked things up as well now!
Happy iFellowship Day! ♥ Michelle
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Thanks for visiting, Michelle! I think we should get absorbent minds, too!! It’s nice that we still have the interest factor to make learning easier – and there are sooo many things to be interested in! Have a great rest of the week! I hope your birthday party plans and party work out fabulously!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..A Montessori Approach to Homeschool Art
I love this and totally agree!!! My husband started speaking German to both of our infants and continued as they began to talk. Now they both can switch back and forth between the two languages! It’s a beautiful thing to watch them learn!
I’m visiting today from iFellowship! Come see me over at Living Above Ministries if you have time!
Have a great Wednesday!
Penny
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Thanks so much, Penny! What a wonderful opportunity for your children! I always wished I could have offered a truly bilingual experience for my children, but I didn’t know more than a few words in other languages. I’m on my way to visit you now!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Your Young Child’s Amazing- Absorbent Mind
Hello! I’m participating in iFellowship. Enjoy this day the Lord has made and may you be glad in it!
Deborah
homemakerhoney.com
Thanks for your comment, Deborah! I’m happy you’re participating in iFellowship. I’ll enjoy getting to know you!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Your Young Child’s Amazing- Absorbent Mind
Great point Deb! My son's mind truly astounds me sometimes. Just watching him figure things out by himself is the best example that I can think of.
Blessings to you from iFellowship,
Sue
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Thanks for your comment, Sue! I love watching the way young children’s minds figure things out, too. It really is a miracle at work! Blessings to you also!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..A Montessori Approach to Homeschool Art
This is so true! I have two small children and they amaze me everyday with the things they have remembered or learned! I’m stopping by from 31DBBB.
Thanks for your comment, Amy! I really enjoyed my children at every age, but I do miss having young children around – they are such a miracle!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Activity of the Week – Montessori Outdoors- Numbers and Counters
I love this post! It is so sweet to get to see the photos of him. I guess it’s time to find/make/purchase some sandpaper letters because my daughter is already recognizing her own name in print! At 19 months old I think she’s ready to learn the sounds of the alphabet!
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Thanks so much, Shelly! I’m always amazed at how much children can learn when they’re interested. It sounds like your daughter would enjoy sandpaper-letter activities!
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