Repetition in a Montessori Classroom

Ifra Khoso, Yahoo Contributor Network
Apr 11, 2012


Every child is a star in his own way. Montessori environment enables a child to explore his own capabilities and make self- corrections. Through self- correction, one is able to channel his mind towards creativity


Montessori environment is interestingly stimulating. It not only intrigues one personally but enlightens and freshens each of one’s senses, if not to its pinnacle but high enough to question one’s own actions.  This particular attribute develops in one’s personality through, “Repetition”.

Repetition is what enhances the process of learning. It not only makes us perfect… (Remember the saying, “Practice makes you perfect”) but also makes one aware of his abilities. It is through repetition that we become self critiques.  It opens uncountable doors of the human mind and the brain functions at a much challenging level. It is repetition which arouses curiosity, urges to reach perfection and encourages self exploration. This is the reason why, science in all of its branches remains one of the still, most ongoing developed subject.  It is perhaps repetition of many failures that has lead to numerous mind blowing inventions which has made our lives convenient in many ways.

What is repetition in a Montessori environment?

It is simply the freedom given to a child to repeat an activity, practice or work with it as many times as he wants to till his inner urge to do so is satisfied, provided that he does not misuse his freedom to practice in an unproductive way, i-e starts throwing the materials, taking them in his mouth or ignoring it by engaging himself in a completely different activity.

Repetition is one of the vital stats upon which a Montessori environment thrives.  In such an environment different subjects are either directly or indirectly linked up together.  For example…let’s take the simple activity (from practical life area in a Montessori environment) of pouring water equally from a pitcher into four glasses. When the directress is presenting this activity to the child, she doesn’t mention that she will pour equal amount of water into all the four glasses. It is through her careful presentation that the child observes it but when the activity is done by a 3 year old alone, he comes to that conclusion after numerous repetitions. Not only that he indirectly and subconsciously gets hands on experience to the concept of division, volume and weight.  And these concepts only become subconsciously vivid through repetition.

Coming to one’s own conclusions, making and self correcting one’s own mistakes and learning through one’s own repetition is far more fruitful and long lasting. It is this experience that makes learning fun and lively. This important freedom to repeat and explore instills lifelong love and thrust for learning and exploration in a child which is utmost necessary to progress in practical life.   By: Ifra N. Khoso