Your baby is born with an “absorbent mind” that can soak up information effortlessly in the first six years of life. It’s why learning their native language, and even a second or third language, is known to be much easier in these years as opposed to later in life when our minds switch to more conscious learning requiring greater effort.
Beyond language, your baby can pick up other skills quite effortlessly, too. In fact, there are “sensitive windows” between birth and about age six when children universally seem distinctly motivated to acquire certain skills. We’ll break down what these windows are, and what they mean for you!
What are the sensitive learning periods?
The Montessori approach to early education commonly refers to “sensitive periods of development.” Founder Dr. Maria Montessori, who was a scientist, physician, humanitarian, philosopher, and educator, noticed that children experienced predictable blocks of time during the early years in which they’d become self-motivated to repeat and master specific skills. Once the sensitive window ends, it’s thought to be much harder for that child to gain related skills because their motivation has evolved to focus on other areas of development.
Why it matters for everyday parenting
If we know it’s easier to acquire a language in the early years, we can do things to support our child’s language development from the start. The same can be extended to other skills and milestones; when we know what is timely to our children, we can better support their development with less guesswork and more relevancy.
Below, we’ll share some of the most commonly cited sensitive periods of early childhood development.
From Birth:
Language (0-6 years):this is prime time for language development. Avoid minimizing your baby’s exposure to language and speak with a rich, varied vocabulary. If you are a bilingual home, immerse your baby in both languages.
Movement (0-4 years):offer plentiful time for your baby and young child to move freely; this is a prime stage to gain balance, strength, and coordination. If we overemphasize containment during this window, it could become harder for your child to move with precision and accurate risk assessment later.
Sensory (0-6):there is no rush to teach through technology and screens because the entire early years are rooted in learning through sensorial discovery. The more you facilitate experiences that let your baby touch, taste, see, smell, hear, and feel – the more they can develop and refine their senses. Refined senses make life easier because we need our senses to interpret information accurately.
Order (0-5 years):By keeping an orderly space, your baby can better categorize their surroundings, navigate their play, focus, and problem-solve. Don’t underestimate the power of an uncluttered space! It sets the stage for cognitive development. Without an orderly home or order to their day with rhythms and routines, they may struggle to adapt.
From Toddlerhood:
Tiny objects (1-3 years):This is a prime time for noticing and carefully manipulating tiny details and objects, which in many ways further supports movement skills and strengthens the senses. If your little one stops on a walk to say hello to a tiny ant, make the time for it!
Social interactions (2.5-6 years):It’s true that the early years are purposefully self-centered, in which children are building up themselves before they can cooperate with others. However, there is a sensitive window to begin practicing social courtesies. Toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners are eager to learn things like how to wait their turn, how to say hello and goodbye, and how to cough in their elbow. Slow down to teach these things!
Above all, use these sensitive windows as general knowledge to help you understand what is important to your baby as they grow, but don’t forget to tune into their unique timeline, interests, and needs.