Parents are often concerned when they first hear the Montessori term “normalization.” It doesn’t sound like a good thing … more like something trying to make all children think and act the same.
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In The Absorbent Mind, Maria Montessori said, “Normalization is the single most important result of our work.” Taken out of context, that sounds even scarier.
The good news is that normalization is something very positive, and it often occurs spontaneously when children work with Montessori activities. If you’re wondering what normalization is, be sure to read “The Secret of Childhood: Normalization and Deviations,” a lecture by Dr. Rita Schaefer Zener, in an AMI 3-6 course and published at Michael Olaf.
About the term itself, Dr. Schaefer Zener said:
Normalization is a technical word borrowed from the field of anthropology. It means becoming a contributing member of society. Dr. Montessori used the term normalization to distinguish one of the processes that she saw in her work with the children at San Lorenzo in Rome. This process, the process of normalization, occurs when development is proceeding normally. She used the word normalization so that people would think that these qualities belonged to all children and were not something special just for a few.
So, normalization isn’t something that’s done to the child. It’s something that spontaneously happens when children are given meaningful work to do – especially individualized work that’s freely chosen and uses child-size tools and activities that engage the child’s attention.
There are 4 characteristics of a normalized child:
- Love of work
- Concentration
- Self-discipline
- Sociability (or joyful work).
I think “sociability” is another term that is often misinterpreted along with the term “normalization.” Montessori education isn’t trying to turn introverted children into extroverts. Instead, according to Dr. Schaefer Zener, sociability means “patience in getting the materials one wants, respect for the work of others, help and sympathy for others, and harmonious working relationships among members of the group…Sociability also refers to the human response to turn to other people after finishing a job. If the work when well, then the social interactions are ‘colored’ by the emotional satisfaction of the job.”
As parents and teachers, we need to prepare an environment that is attractive and orderly and provides the necessary activities to help the child develop concentration and self-discipline. This most often comes from Montessori practical life activities and is the reason practical life activities are emphasized in Montessori education.
Some other helpful posts about normalization:
Normalization in the Montessori Environment from Montessori Print Shop (I love the emphasis that normalized children are joyful.)
Normalization: Part One – Discipline and Normalization: Part Two – Role of the Teacher from To the Lesson! (very helpful posts focusing on discipline and the role of the teacher)
Montessori Philosophy: Understanding Normalization and the Montessori Classroom, Why Aren’t My Students Normalized? Deviations in the Normalization Process, and Montessori Philosophy: The Three Stages of Normalization in the First Plane of Development from North American Montessori Center (thorough discussion of the normalization process)
Sterling Qualities of the ‘Normalized’ Montessori Child from Montessori for Everyone (lovely discussion of the positive qualities of a normalized child)
The Key to Montessori from Montessori at Home! (helpful post emphasizing concentration and normalization)
Update: I also have an excerpt on concentration and normalization from John Bowman’s Montessori at Home eBook!
For more posts on Montessori principles, be sure to check out my Montessori Resources page! There’s even a 3-part series on the ABCs of Montessori!
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I thought I had already fallen in love with the Montessori Method, as much as one can, yet the more I read, the more I realize I can continue falling. I just can’t get enough of it. Thank you so much for these little “training” posts and explanations. I’m still very new at this and reading as much as I can, but still it never seems to be enough.
The words “normalization” and “sociability” are too common in my world of CSE meetings with my 3 special needs kiddos, most often with a negative connotation. However I love how Maria Montessori gives such a clear, goal driven explanation of what those words mean to her and what outcomes will look like. It’s so positive and uplifting. In a world that’s very overwhelming to children with autism, these are very attainable goals, that will help them learn to become self sufficient in the ways they need to.
Fabulous! Thank you! I hope to soon have a chance to go to all of the links and read more. 🙂
Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Renae! It is nice to see positive ideas for “normalization” and “sociability,” isn’t it?! 🙂
Thank you so much for posting this, Deb! As a mother with such a wide range of ages, 8-2, I often find myself with the problem of the kids disappearing on me – if I get involved with one, someone takes their cue and slips off to play elsewhere. Do you have any advice for me on how to handle that best? I am trying to keep more out on the shelves, and am working on getting together a version of the work plan that will help in our house, because it is very much needed, but I am trying to reach the goal of keeping their attention on the work period and not losing them halfway through, because if I have to call them back, I generally find that they are not as committed to their work. I know there is probably something I am missing, something I am not seeing that I need to do in order to help with this – maybe you can shed some light on it?
Thanks for your comment, Amy! That’s a good question. A lot of parents find it helpful to have their kids help select the materials to put on the shelves. Some even have their kids help choose activities from Pinterest. I’ll publish a post on Sulia(http://sulia.com/livingmontessorinow/) tomorrow and see if I can get any other suggestions.
Thanks Deb! 🙂 I appreciate your help and advice very much!
Thanks for this post. I came across it looking into stuff for my stepson diagnosed with ADHD. The Montessori way sounds as if it could be helpful to him, so I look forward to reading around the subject more.
Thanks so much, Lucy! I hope you find ideas that work well for you. 🙂
This was very helpful and timely for us. Thanks!
Thanks, Christy! I’m so glad the timing was right. 🙂
Wonserful post Deb. will come back to this over and over. Thanks so much
Thanks for your kind comment, Tracey! I’m so glad the post was helpful! 🙂
Thank you for such a wonderful explanation of an often confusing term! This is a great resource to point parents to, as are all the links. I will print them out to add to my parent ed binder!
Thanks so much, Aimee! I really appreciate it! 🙂
Deb, this post was so meaningful to me. Thank you for sharing your life with us. 🙂 I featured your article on the Montessori MOMents Facebook page. I hope you’re having a great week.
Thanks so much for your kind comment and for sharing my post, Lori! I always love hearing from you! 🙂
This is a really helpful and informative post! Please feel free to keep sharing your wealth of knowledge about Montessori theory.: )
I really appreciate your kind words, Sheila! It’s so great to hear from some of my longtime online friends again! 🙂
i’ve always struggled to understand what normalization meant, this post is really helpful, thanks. I’ve shared on our Sunday Parenting Party pinterest board and am featuring on the SPP this weekend (you can grab an I was featured button from my blog button page if you’d like one).