I have been reading the book "
Montessori Today" by Paula Polk Lillard. This is great tool to understand the methods of Montessori. I use some but
not all the Montessori methods. I do observe what works best for my child. I really had a "wow" moment realizing the causes of my child's sensory integration disorder while reading a section in this book.
In the book the author describes how children begin their exploration of the earth's environment from the first moment after birth. The infant is overcome with light, sound, smell and touch. Montessori explained this initial experience of the child as a "second birth" because it represented the beginning of a second embryological life outside the womb. The infant may seem to be doing nothing but actually they are exploring in their cribs. It is a silent exploration of hearing, looking and feeling air and touch upon their skin. And Montessori goes on to describe how these first impressions are so fundamental that they shape the development of the child's brain. The entire neurological network has formed within the first 15 days after birth.
My daughter was very sick soon after birth (GBS positivie/sepsis) and was in the NICU for 10 day on IV antibiotics. She did have a lack of oxygen in the first 24 hours of birth. She is now a healthy 8 year old but does have a mild/moderate sensory integration disorder. This is the main reason I do homeschool her. She does not do very well in the over stimulated environment and large classroom. I do believe that her issues at birth directly caused her sensory disorder. I am finding with educational methods work for her....I learn something new each day.
Posts
