Three period lesson (Montessori)The Three period lesson is one of the most potent fundamental teaching tools in the Montessori education. In the Montessori environment the name of a new thing is introduced through this particular method. The objects are introduced to the child utilizing his short-term memory in three subsequent sequential steps: listening recognizing articulating The Three period lesson is given involving the integrated channels of learning- the auditory, the visual , the speech and also the kinesthetic modes, to introduce a single item at a time. Say, we want to introduce the child to the shapes of the geometric solids, a cube and a sphere. The presentation will be: Invite the child to the presentation. Keep the geometric solids in front of him (on a rug or on the table top) First Period: Point to the cube and say - “This is a cube”. Point to the sphere, say- “This is a sphere”. Second Period: Ask the child, “Show me the sphere”. After he shows, ask him to show the cube. When the child shows the cube go to the third period. Third Period: Point to the cube and ask him “What is this? The child gives the name “cube”. Ask him pointing the sphere “What is this?” Child gives the name “sphere”. There is no need to correct the child if he makes a mistake. Rather re demonstrate in near future. In the first step the teacher simply associates the name with the object. It is important not to use extraneous words or explanations at this phase. The young child is focusing on the names only. Help him to concentrate. In the second step we are testing if the child made the association successfully. At this phase if you find the child made an error, for example, he points to the cube when you ask him to show the sphere, just casually say “ That is a cube – let's see where the sphere is- sphere.” Let him hear the words a few times if that is what he needs. Let the child touch and feel the solids and hear the names. For example we can say, “Can you pass the sphere to Zoe (another child)” or “Do you think we can place the sphere on the cube?” picking up the objects as you utter their names. Dramatize. In the third period of this Three period lesson, the teacher is asking the child to pronounce the appropriate vocabulary himself. Again this can be reinforced by playing games like “What's Missing” In this game the child has to hide one object behind him while the teacher has to keep her eyes closed. The child says - “Ready “ when he has done hiding one object behind him, and the teacher has to tell what is missing. This way the second period lesson is re emphasized. Now it is the turn for the child to close his eyes and the teacher hides. As the child articulates, the third period lesson is revised. This game works very well when more than two or three objects are involved. Getting down to the child's level, teaching in such playful way showed me great benefit in the classroom. Children become more comfortable in approaching me. I have thus established a friendly bond with them It is a wonderful tool for establishing positive discipline in the class room as well as in the home front too. The Three period lesson was developed by Edouard Seguin. Eduoard Seguin became the first president of the "Association of Medical Officers of American Institutions for Idiotic and Feebleminded Persons", which would later be known as the American Association on Mental Retardation. His work with the mentally handicapped was a major inspiration to Italian educator Maria Montessori. (wikipedia) Here I must add that if you find the child is making mistakes repeatedly listen to what Maria Montessori had to say: Indeed why correct him? If the child has not succeeded in associating the name with the object, the only way in which to succeed would be to repeat the lesson. But when the child has failed, we should know that he was not at that instant ready for the psychic association which we wished to provoke in him, and we must therefore choose another moment (The Montessori Method - 1964, page 226.) Young children from the age of two to five years are very interested with names – nouns. Later, verbs and actions will follow- very soon. Did you see their passion in pronouncing the most difficult names of the dinosaurs? We can take advantage of this particular interest that is special of this age. Introducing interesting things with their names through this Three period lesson process may give them a rich vocabulary that stays dormant in their subconscious. Research says that this subconscious learning has immense power and potency for learning later in life. I hope this article of the Three period lesson is useful to you and you can use it in your home with your children even if you are not a Montessori teacher in a classroom. Parents are the more important teacher in a child's life. I am glad that you visited my site and are reading all these. Even if I am not in the classroom , I can still teach all that I know and pass on the information about what was beneficial for me. I am very thankful to SBI It! for helping me do that. If you are a work–at-home mom, see what this six year old little girl has to say: Hope it helps you too.
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