Le Petit Papillon Montessori School offers self-directed learning to children from toddlers to elementary age. Maria Montessori identified sensitive periods of development when children intensely focus on specific skills before moving on. During these periods, children are particularly receptive to learning about certain topics. Montessori educators recognize these sensitive periods and provide relevant materials to maximize learning when children show interest in areas like small objects, order, movement, or social skills.

1. MONTESSORI'S SENSITIVE PERIODS OF
DEVELOPMENT
Le Petit Papillon Montessori School

2. INTRODUCTION
 At its engaging and specially designed campus in Miami Beach,
Florida, Le Petit Papillon Montessori School offers self-directed
learning to children from of toddler age through elementary
school. Le Petit Papillon attends to a child's sensitive periods of
development and uses these opportunities to encourage curiosity.
In her work with children, Maria Montessori identified several
developmental stages at which children were particularly attuned
to certain aspects of their environment. When such a stage arose,
a child focused nearly all of his or her attention on one skill or
area of interest. She called this stage a “sensitive period,” as
such focused interest was unique to the period in which it
developed. Once the child's intense interest waned, it did not
appear again in the same way.

3. MONTESSORI
 Today, Montessori educators use their awareness of
these sensitive periods to maximize a child's learning.
They strive to notice when a child appears drawn to a
particular category of work and will present the child
with relevant materials. For example, if a child
appears to be in a sensitive period that leads to a
focus on small objects, he or she should have
sufficient time to collect and manipulate found
objects, to explore texture, and to engage multiple
senses. Other identified periods include sensitivities
to order, walking, and social relationships, all of which
require the freedom to explore.