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In the context of Montessori education, '''Work''' refers to the self-initiated, purposeful activities of children. While these activities may appear to be play from an adult perspective, Maria Montessori considered them as the child's work, given the seriousness and concentration children often exhibit during these activities.<ref>Montessori, M. (1967). The Absorbent Mind. Clio Press.</ref> This perspective arises from an understanding that, from an evolutionary perspective, the extended period of childhood serves as a time for learning and experimenting in a relatively pressure-free environment.<ref>Groos, K. (1901). The Play of Man. D. Appleton and Company.</ref>

== Montessori Quotes ==

*"The first essential for the child's development is concentration. The child who concentrates is immensely happy."<ref>Montessori, M. (1989). The Child, Society and the World. Clio Press.</ref>

*"The child can only develop fully by means of experience in his environment. We call such experience 'work'. "<ref>Montessori, M. (1967). The Absorbent Mind. Clio Press.</ref>

== Research and Critiques ==

*'''Pros''': The Montessori perspective of viewing children's activities as work recognizes the importance and significance of these activities in the child's development. It allows children to take their tasks seriously, fostering focus, dedication, and intrinsic motivation.<ref>Lillard, A. (2017). Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius. Oxford University Press.</ref>

*'''Cons''': Critics argue that the term "work" could potentially be misinterpreted, implying that children's activities are laborious or burdensome, which contrasts with the inherent joy and exploration often associated with childhood. There's also the risk that this perspective may blur the boundary between essential leisure/play time and learning time.<ref>Mooney, C. (2000). Theories of Childhood: An Introduction to Dewey, Montessori, Erikson, Piaget, and Vygotsky. Redleaf Press.</ref>

== Comparisons to Other Methods ==

While play-based learning is commonly emphasized in many early childhood education approaches, Montessori's view of children's activities as work sets it apart. This distinction highlights the value of the child's chosen activities and the depth of learning these can offer.<ref>Thayer-Bacon, B. J. (2017). Maria Montessori, John Dewey, and William H. Kilpatrick. Education and Culture, 33(2), 31-57.</ref>

== See Also ==

*[[Montessori Method]]
*[[Prepared Environment (Montessori)]]
*[[Absorbent Mind (Montessori)]]

{{Glossary of Montessori Terms}}

== References ==

<references/>

Work (Montessori)/en - Revision history

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