Sensetive Period

Sensitive period for order starts from birth and peaks at 18 months to 2.5 years and prolongs to age five. This is characterized by a desire for consistency and repetition. There exists a passionate love for established routines and is when a child may seem disturbed by disorder. The “terrible twos” are often exaggerated reactions to small disruptions in order that is not perceived by adults. The environment therefore must be carefully ordered with a place for everything and with carefully established ground rules.
Order consists in recognizing the place for each object in relation to its environment and in remembering where each thing should be. Such an awareness is essential for a child to feel secure within its environment and to build on existing experiences "...since a child is formed by his environment he has need of precise and determined guides and not simply some vague constructive formulae" (The Secret of Childhood p.53, Chap 8).
It is also important to have external order as order in their environment where there is an appropriate place for everything as this helps the child also establish their internal order.
It is when you see a child may give out a tantrum since things are out of routine and it affects their sense of order. They may at this time insist on the same routine, and at times parents don’t really have time to respect this in the busy lives. One may even see a child put things in back into place if they are out of order if given the chance.
It is important to be aware of this as one of the child’s needs to be fulfilled. Having ordered rules helps a child in this sensitive period.
She saw that a child has a 'twofold' sense of order. One is external and related to his perceptions of the environment; the other is internal and related to his own inner muscular orientation. Both needed to be realised for the child to gain mastery over the environment. Great emphasis was made, therefore, on order within the Montessori classroom.
By ensuring...