Human Tendencies

HUMAN TENDENCIES

Intro

* Nnatural impulses that direct an individual to perform certain actions or activities without a conscious plan

* These tendencies were given to man to help us to serve and satisfy our fundamental needs. To adapt = survive + develop

* They are the force/drive behind all achievement

* Universal

* Innate

* Unconscious

* Have them from birth to death

* It is not an instinct - animals have instincts/humans have tendencies

* They use tendencies to gain skills

The needs of man;

* Physical Needs (Basic needs) - Food, Shelter, Protection

* Other Needs - Emotional, intellectual, Spiritual, self-realisation,

Montessori designed an environment that supports human tendencies.

Some of the tendencies she talked about are given below;

Exploration - It is the urge to go out to the unknown, and find more info, knowledge to help us get more oriented. Consistency is very important to the child.

* Orientation - Something that gives you a frame of reference; a way to follow; to relate ourselves to the external world or the internal world. In Montessori, we try not to make a lot of changes because it gives the child a sense of security. If there is a change, a transitional object (something that is familiar to the child) should be provided in order to not confuse the child.

* Order - The urge to organise, and be able to find our way back. The sense of order helps the child to use his energy and intellect to organise his thoughts.

* Adaptation

Work - Humans want to work. Taking from what we absorb, from the imagination and make it real- Manipulation. We must think of Activity with purpose; Activity that serves the human being. Repetition is good because the more you repeat the more myelinisation.

* Perfection - Human beings are also conditioned to look for exactness, perfection, precision; the natural propensity we have to control ourselves, controlling our own errors to do better, to overcome difficulties, obstacles.

Mathematical Mind - Abstraction & Imagination increases in a child over 6 yrs. Children are concrete thinkers (they believe what they see). Therefore, if a younger child's foundation in reality is built strongly they will be far more intelligent and focused when they reach the age of 6.

Social/Group orientation - The tendency to have relationships, socialise; to understand for ourselves who we are by comparing to others, agreeing or disagreeing, making our own opinions, etc. Younger children work individually. The desire to work together/collaborate begins when they reach 5 ½ - 6 yrs of age.

* Communication - language, verbal or body. To ask questions, and seek help

* Social behaviour

* Interpersonal

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