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More on “Flow State”
June 30, 2023
When the child becomes interested in an object, the teacher must not interrupt, because this activity obeys natural laws and has a cycle; and if it is touched, it disappears like a soap-bubble and all its beauty with it.
-Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind
-Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind
In response to our recent ExchangeEveryDay about “flow” and “true play,” Whirled Peas writes,
Maria Montessori called this a state of “normalization.” As a medical doctor, she was thinking along the lines of “homeostasis” - or balanced well-being (when all internal and external systems are working in harmony). All living things seek out the experiences they need to accomplish this state (eating in response to hunger, etc.).
In the early years, the child is driven to accomplish specific activities that are required for optimal development (much like a seedling seeks out the sunlight). They repeat activities until their movements are more coordinated, they experiment with it/then relationships and explore properties of matter so they can create a framework of understanding for how their world works, and so on.
The more we create environments in which the child is able to satisfy these physiological drives, the more time they are able to spend in “flow” (normalizing) states. Play allows the child to create boundaries around practicing specific skill sets. Flow requires a match between challenge and ability that provides for growth. An example is volleying a balloon or tennis ball. If we play with a tennis champion, it is likely the game will be over very quickly. The same would be true if we played with a young child, but for opposite reasons. If we play with a person who’s abilities are similar to our own, we feel exhilaration as long as we are able to keep the balloon up in the air or the ball in play. For those few minutes, we are singularly focused on the activity. The world falls away. That is flow.
The more time children spend in flow, the more their physiological needs for development are being met, the calmer and happier they are, and the less likely disciplinary actions are needed.
Thanks to all of you who take the time to reply to our daily messages. You uplift and energize us, adding valuable insights and perspectives!
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Comments (5)
Displaying All 5 CommentsMBNS
Los Angeles, CA, United States
I love the ideas that Maria Montessori began with, and my heart hurts to think of how her ideas have been distorted and heavily edited by teachers and administrators focused mainly on state standards, and struggling with classroom "management" and how diluted so many programs are from anything that resembles these words quoted by her.
So sad. Do these ideas really exist in any/many "Montessori" businesses aka schools. I would love to learn about places that really work this way.
"When the child becomes interested in an object, the teacher must not interrupt, because this activity obeys natural laws and has a cycle; and if it is touched, it disappears like a soap-bubble and all its beauty with it."
-Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind
Open-ended play, learner-led play and stepping back is a beautiful dance and we need more!
Eugene, OR, United States
Yes, Melanie, and relevant for all ages! I'm sure your goddaughter was grateful to have you so present with her!
SVC
Anacortes, WA, United States
Loved the quote and the message today.
Yesterday I went with my 20-year-old goddaughter to register for her first semester of college. They were giving out some swag and I grabbed a pen and noticed a red "stress ball".
The line for the registration counter was over 50 people long when we arrived. After reaching the front 2 hours later, she had her student ID checked and was asked what classes she wanted to register for. Then we were sent to another line (22 people ahead of us). After about 10 minutes I went back for the red ball. It allowed us a few minutes of much-needed "flow" as we bounced it back and forth to each other.
Dr. Montessori - as relevant today as 100 years ago
Izzi Early Ed
San Mateo, CA, United States
Oh my goodness, I need to respond to you all more often! I share your quotes and commentaries often. It’s a harder sale to people who aren’t teachers. I tell them your ExchangeEveryDay is about life, living, learning, loving!
I enjoy thinking about flow, especially with so much talk about distraction. I like to hold the belief that we are all capable of flow, concentration, and commitment to task with the right support.
Thank you, thank you! ????
Kim
Thank you, thank you! ????
Kim
Los Angeles, CA, United States
I think there is a typo in this article and you meant to say
if/then
rather than "it" .
A least it makes more sense to me this way?
Otherwise a nice concise piece and one that is important to share especially with regards to less need for discipline or direction from teachers or adults.
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