- LEarninG and tHinkinG witH tHinGs (^) | 121
f gure 5-3. i Montessori beads^5
Essentially, we all start off understanding the world only through phys-
ical (embodied) interactions. As infants, even before we can see, we are
grasping at things and seeking tactile comforts. We learn through our
physical interactions with our environment.
Contrast this with the workbooks and photocopied assignments com-
mon in most public schools. These pages represent “what” students
should be learning, but ignore the cognitive aspects of “how” we learn,
namely through interactions. Much of learning is cause and effect.
Think of the young child who learns not to touch a hot stove either
through her own painful experience or that of a sibling. It is through
interactions and experimentation (or observing others) that we begin
to recognize patterns and build internal representations of otherwise
abstract ideas.
Learning is recognizing or adding to our collection of patterns.
5 As featured on Montessori Outlet (http://www.montessorioutlet.com)
nandana
(Nandana)
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