Following up from the last MIC Montessori Lens general Principle of our Adaptation, we now take a look at what Dr Montessori called Human Tendencies.
Human Tendencies are what make us human, and they are:
- natural and unchanging drives;
- push us to satisfy our needs in successful and creative ways;
- innate, universal, and the result of human evolution;
- unchangeable, enacted throughout life, and direct us to interact with our environment.
These characteristics assist humans in adapting to both the physical and social conditions (or environments) in which they live.
It is generally considered through Montessori training organisations that there are ten human tendencies but this can vary depending on the organisation and trainer. The ten Human Tendencies from my most recent training are:
- To orient
- To explore
- To order
- To abstract
- To imagine
- To calculate
- To work
- To be exact: repeat
- To perfect oneself
- To communicate and associate with others
HERE is more detail on each of the ten outlined Human Tendencies.
Depending on the age/development stage of children/adolescents/adults, Human Tendencies (click on the link for more specifics regarding each tendency) manifest differently and there may be stronger draw towards certain tendencies at different ages/stages of development. For example, a developmental characteristic of the second plane development, 6-12 years (which will be covered as The Planes of Development shortly), is that students like to work in groups.
At this age/stage (Primary school), children want to be and work with their peers, which for the Montessori Prepared Adult means that materials/lessons should be presented in groups and students should be encouraged to work in groups. Naturally, this means that the Human Tendency to communicate and associate with others will be strongly observed at this age.
A final thought and profound perspective from Dr Montessori is the concept of work: the answer to deviations from natural development is always work – developmentally appropriate, purposeful work.
“The child’s instinct confirms the fact that work is an inherent tendency in human nature; it is the characteristic instinct of the human race.”
Maria Montessori, The Secret of Childhood, pg 195
Kind regards
Chris
Chris Peach – Principal
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