Montessori Education: The power of concentration
At IMS Sotogrande, concentration is more than a skill—it’s a vital part of Montessori education that shapes a child’s ability to learn and grow. From Nido (5 months) to Elementary (12 years), children’s capacity to focus develops naturally through carefully prepared environments and engaging activities. As Maria Montessori wisely said, “The first essential for the child’s development is concentration. The child who concentrates is immensely happy.”
How Montessori schools fosters concentration
In the Montessori approach, classrooms are designed to capture a child’s interest through purposeful activities. At IMS, children are given the freedom to choose work that aligns with their developmental stage, sparking natural curiosity and engagement.
From their earliest years in Nido, children at IMS engage in sensory-based activities that help build focus, such as exploring different textures and sounds. As they grow, hands-on tasks like practical life exercises, working with Montessori bead chains for counting and mathematical concepts, and problem-solving activities hold their attention for longer periods. For instance, using the golden bead material to explore addition or multiplication provides a tactile, visual method that deepens concentration while reinforcing abstract concepts. The self-correcting nature of Montessori materials encourages independence, allowing children to focus and reflect on their progress without constant intervention.
The role of repetition in deepening focus
Repetition is key to building and refining concentration in Montessori education. Children are encouraged to repeat tasks as often as needed, allowing them to master both skills and concepts at their own pace. This repetitive practice strengthens their ability to focus on tasks for longer periods.
For example, a child may practice transferring objects or working with math materials until the task becomes effortless. Overtime, this strengthens their ability to concentrate on more complex challenges in Taller 1 and 2 (6-12 years). This method allows children to experience the satisfaction of mastery, which in turn drives deeper engagement.
Building independence through concentration
Concentration is not only a tool for learning but also a pathway to independence. By allowing children the freedom to focus on tasks without constant intervention, Montessori fosters self-reliance. As children progress through IMS, they develop confidence in their own ability to solve problems, learn new skills, and explore their interests independently.
Maria Montessori’s belief that “The child who concentrates is immensely happy” reflects the joy children experience when they are fully engaged in meaningful work. At IMS, this engagement starts from a young age and is nurtured throughout the child’s journey from Nido to Elementary.
IMS Sotogrande
We believe concentration is a critical component of a child’s development, laying the foundation for lifelong learning. Our bilingual Montessori education encourages children from 5 months to 12 years to explore, focus, and grow in an environment designed to support their natural curiosity.
To find out more about IMS, we invite you to Book a tour today – spend some time with one of our guides and visit our classrooms to get a feel what our school can offer families.
📞 Call us at (+34) 653 04 17 39
