When Maria Montessori almost a century ago observed the child and its way of development she used terminology that is familiar to her readers and educators. Today the discoveries of the sciences (neuro-sciences, psychology) come to confirm through research the discoveries and her theory. But the terminology they use is different. Here is a chart matching Maria Montessori’s terms to modern science terms.
| Montessori Terminology | Modern Terminology | Explanation |
| normalized child normalized child | auto adjust | provides man with abilities to deal with everyday life situations, to respond to social situations and to choose the way that will bring positive results in his every endeavor |
| absorbent mind receptive mind | plastic brain network of neural connections | modern studies of neuroscience, which studies the brain, have proven that during the age of the first six and especially the first three years of human life, a network of neurons with a specific connection is created. |
| sensitive periods |
windows of opportunity critical moments developmental milestones growth leaps |
the developmental leaps in a person’s life |
| game of silence walking the line | mindfulness practices | turning attention inward by placing it on the senses |
| stages of development | separation of school classes (nursery, elementary, high school – high school, university) | the age division into periods corresponding to human development |
| task | game | the child’s way of acquiring knowledge |
| prepared environment montessori material | structured/unstructured game | the child’s teacher for the first six years of his life |
| inner order structure of the inner ego | personality building | the developmental target age period from birth to six years |
| discipline | self-discipline | the ability to discipline with inner drive and will |