Three is the magic number when it comes to a Montessori work cycle. Three hours of uninterrupted time for the child to explore, choose and fully engage in a lesson.
To a traditional teacher a three hour child led work cycle is unsettling – maybe even risky as the child is fulfilling his own desires at this time. A written out schedule with specified increments for subjects and lessons is easy to read on paper, but children do not operate within the confinement of a clock and rigid timed out schedule.
To a classically trained Montessori teacher the three hour work cycle provides everything a child needs.
Freedom to explore and control over their learning process.
Time to fully engage with all the sense.
Time to independently and thoroughly work through a task.
Mastery of essential life skills such as concentration, instrinsic motivation, and independence through the academic lessons.
Three hours gives the child time to unlock the natural grace and beauty of a child and allows for their innate abilities to unfold right before our eyes. These three hours create the Montessorian mind.
