Rewind and Shine: Mastering Spontaneous Repetition

The Power of Spontaneous Repetition in Montessori Education

In Montessori education, one principle has always stood out to me the most: spontaneous repetition. This concept is deeply embedded and understood in Maria Montessori’s education. This has always been crucial in how children learn and internalize new concepts. Let's explore how spontaneous repetition works, why it's so effective, and how it fits into the broader framework of Montessori education. My son Adonis has been making coffee with me since he was 10 or 11 months old. This might sound ridiculous but it’s true. I was talking to a parent/friend, and he told me he had been doing the same with his daughter. Much like his daughter, Adonis will correct me if I am too tired and accidentally skip or miss a step entirely. Adonis is almost 2 years old and when he wakes up and comes into our room he already knows the drill. But, why is this simple “adult” task so interesting to them?

Understanding Spontaneous Repetition (THE PROCESS)

Spontaneous repetition refers to a child’s natural tendency to repeat activities or tasks that interest them. A student favorite is the Pink Cubes, also known as the Pink Tower. Unlike structured drills or exercises imposed by an adult, this form of repetition is driven by the child’s curiosity and engagement. In a Montessori classroom, this means children choose to practice a particular skill, revisit an activity, or explore a material multiple times, often without any external prompting. If I decide to step in as an impatient teacher or parent, I will screw up the natural flow of their mindset and what they had mapped out in their head. But you might be thinking that they’re going to slow, but by stepping in we are telling the child that their process doesn’t matter and that our time is more valuable.

The Role of Spontaneous Repetition

1. Deepening Understanding: Just for a second let us imagine that you are 3 years old again and you got to explore your surroundings, you had materials that were challenging but not impossible, and these materials were in a specific spot that you could access on your own at any given time. Now imagine if things were shoved in your face and you were told to play with a toy that screamed loud obnoxious sounds at you. Which one would you prefer? (lol) Which one would you like to explore again and again? When children engage in spontaneous repetition, they are doing so because the material is challenging and exciting. It may seem like they are just repeating the same action over and over again, but in reality they are trying to figure out the best way to master the activity or deepen their understanding of the concept. Each repetition offers a new perspective or insight, allowing children to refine their skills and knowledge. For example, a child working with Montessori bead materials might count, group, and add beads in different ways, gradually mastering mathematical concepts through repeated practice.

2. Building Mastery: Spontaneous repetition helps children build mastery over time. Unlike forced activities, which can lead to frustration or boredom. Spontaneous repetition is intrinsically motivated. This natural desire to repeat activities fosters a sense of accomplishment and competence, encouraging children to take ownership of their learning journey.

3. Fostering Independence: Montessori classrooms are designed to support independent learning. Spontaneous repetition aligns perfectly with this goal, as it allows children to choose their activities and engage with them at their own pace. This autonomy not only enhances their learning experience, but also builds confidence and self-discipline.

4. Enhancing Concentration: Repeating an activity that a child is deeply interested in can improve their concentration. Dr. Montessori observed that children often become fully absorbed in tasks they are passionate about, and this sustained focus is critical for cognitive development. Educators can support this natural tendency for focused, repetitive practice by providing an environment rich with diverse materials.

The Montessori Environment and Spontaneous Repetition

The environment is meticulously prepared in a Montessori classroom to encourage spontaneous repetition, but how so?

• Prepared Environment: Montessori classrooms are organized with a variety of carefully designed materials that cater to different developmental stages and interests. These materials are accessible to children, allowing them to choose and revisit activities independently.

• Freedom of Choice: Children in a Montessori setting are given the freedom to select their work. This autonomy means they can engage in spontaneous repetition of activities that captivate their interest, rather than being directed to complete specific tasks.

• Observation and Support: Montessori educators observe children closely to understand their interests and developmental needs. This observation helps them introduce new materials and challenges at the right time, supporting the child’s natural inclination for repeated practice.

Encouraging Spontaneous Repetition at Home

Parents can also support spontaneous repetition outside of the classroom. Here are some tips:

• Provide Open-Ended Materials: Offer activities that can be used in multiple ways. Materials like building blocks, art supplies, or sensory bins encourage exploration and repeated use. Yes, the toys that light up and make loud noises keep them occupied, but it’s only hindering their imagination. I would like to thank my parents for giving me action figures when I was bored, it helped to develop my imagination and creativity.

• Household Tasks: Show your children how to cook, make coffee, and clean the floors. You might think these tasks just need to get done, but maybe they want to help... Give them small tasks that they are capable of within the larger tasks. For example, if you are making coffee start by letting them scoop the beans or ground coffee into the machine. Over time how much they can help with the task will grow, and eventually they can make you a cup of coffee in the morning. (haha)

• Create a Conducive Environment: Set up a space where children can access materials independently and revisit activities as they choose. An organized, inviting space encourages repeated engagement. The cubed Ikea shelves work great for displaying material in an inviting and organized way. Remember to only put one material in each cube.

• Follow the Child’s Lead: Pay attention to what your child is interested in and allow them to revisit those activities. Resist the urge to constantly introduce new tasks; instead, support their current interests and repeat practices.

Conclusion

Spontaneous repetition is not only a powerful aspect of Montessori education but also life. Instead of telling our son Adonis, "No, this is too hard for you." or "This is for adults." Nichelle and I allowed him to repeat tasks we did around the house that he was interested in. He simply wanted to perfect these tasks and now by the time he is 5 or 6, he may very well be able to make Nichelle and me a cup of coffee without missing a step or without getting the coffee beans all over the floor. Crazy right? But children are capable of so much if we give them the time, patience, and tools to do these tasks that to us seem mundane but to them are so interesting. When I was a Lower Elementary (LE) teacher, we assigned jobs to the students, they got to practice their jobs for a week. One student would be in charge of the dirty dishes for all three LE classrooms, and loading and unloading the dishwasher, and another student would be in charge of greeting our guests. When they arrived they would ask, “Would you like anything to drink? We have coffee and tea.” They would take their order, prepare it, and bring it to them. The list of jobs goes on, but by understanding and supporting this process, educators and parents can help children build deeper understanding, mastery, and independence. Embracing the child’s natural inclination to repeat and explore not only enhances their educational experience but also fosters a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.