Three Period Lesson

The Three Period Lesson, a powerful tool within the Montessori toolkit, is designed to introduce, reinforce, and master new concepts. It can take days, weeks and sometimes even years to complete the three periods.

Edouard Seguin, a French physician dedicated to working with special needs children in both France and the United States during the late 19th century, is credited with the development of the three-period lesson. It is now used in Montessori education in almost every area of the classroom and at all ages.

Let's break it down:

1. First Period (Introduction):

In this initial phase, the adult presents a new concept using clear and precise language. We might say "this is a triangle" and the child would repeat the word and ideally have some time to touch and interact with the object. This period might also be informal. Babies are introduced to objects and people without a formal introduction.

2. Second Period (Practice):

Now comes the interactive phase where the learner actively engages with the concept. Through hands-on activities, exploration, and experimentation, connections are made. This period is where the magic happens, fostering a deep understanding that goes beyond rote memorization. This is the longest period. We want to give the child lots of time to practice.

3. Third Period (Recall):

In the third period, this is where the child demonstrates mastery in the acquired knowledge. We would only do the third period when we are confident that they will be correct.

What happens if they get it wrong? Just go back to the first period!