Theory – Human Needs and Tendencies

HUMAN NEEDS AND TENDENCIES

“The secret of good teaching is to regard the child’s intelligence as a fertile field in which

seeds may be sown, to grow under the heat of flaming imagination. Our aim therefore is

not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to

touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core.”1

The Montessori method helps students meet their needs based on a comprehension of the

human tendencies. They are:

• Manipulation
• Exploration
• Precision
• Order • Communication
• Orientation
• Repetition
• Control of Error (leading to perfection)
• Imagination
• Mathematical Mind

The concept of human tendencies came about from the 1956 Lecture “The Tendency of

Man” given by Mario Montessori, who also wrote and distributed essay pamphlets outlining the

theory. Margaret E. Stephenson, a teacher trainer who became close with Maria Montessori

during their lives. They shared a philosophy of spontaneous and holistic education. Stephenson is

revered as one of the greatest interpreters of the principles of Montessori education.

1
Stephenson, Margaret E. Human Tendencies pdf file pp. 10/10, originally taken from the NAMTA Journal, v25 n3
(2000 Summer), pp. 5-22. http://montessori-namta.org

Michael A. Clapis – Two Summer Blended Course for AMI Primary Certification, 2022
 Theory – Human Needs and Tendencies

NEEDS & TENDENCIES

Humans have needs, both physical and spiritual. A physical need is obvious enough;

humans cannot survive without food, water, heat, cold, shelter, or clean air.

Maria Montessori recognized that humans have not only physical needs but also spiritual

needs. In her philosophy, spirituality is not tied to any specific religious beliefs but rather

encompasses the inner growth and fulfillment of an individual.

According to Montessori, spiritual needs include a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and

connection to something greater than oneself. She believed that when children are provided with

an environment that supports their spiritual development, they are more likely to find joy,

meaning, and a sense of belonging.

Montessori emphasized the importance of nurturing the child's spirit through activities

that promote self-reflection, mindfulness, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural

world. By addressing the spiritual needs of children, the Montessori method aims to cultivate a

sense of inner peace, purpose, and respect for the interconnectedness of all life.

But neither physical nor spiritual need can survive without knowledge, love, or

fulfillment in one’s life.

Tendencies can be thought of as motivators of universal human behaviors. They are inert,

always existing within us on a genetic level through growth and evolution. Humans have

tendencies that include modifying their surroundings, exploring the unknown, and adapting to

new surroundings. Just as animals have instincts, so do humans have tendencies.

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 Theory – Human Needs and Tendencies

Tendencies facilitate our needs. Whether we find calm in a familiar movement, find joy

in the organizing of a workspace, or just seek friendship through person-to-person

communication, we are using our tendencies to satisfy our needs.

“The child's instinct confirms the fact that work is an inherent tendency in human nature;

it is the characteristic instinct of the human race.”2

THE TENDENCIES

Exploration – If you have been around a small child, you will understand this one. Babies

are constantly questing in their miniature worlds, exploring with their senses of smell, taste,

sight, sound, and touch. As they grow, they gain motor control and require a safe environment of

sensory-rich activities. Early man needed exploration to survive, hunt, scavenge, and travel.

Order – Order brings security, especially in the First Plane of Development when

children need consistency to feel safe. A child that knows they can expect a clean classroom

when they come to school can find peace in stability. It is the hope of teachers that, by providing

order in the outer world, it will calm the inner world of the child. In the evolution of man, order

meant a break from chaos.

Precision – Like Order, the Precision tendency satisfies an inner need for completion. In

the evolution of man, precision was needed to perform complex tasks, like cooking, trapping,

setting up camp, and hunting. I have witnessed young children write the same letter in a word,

then erase that letter, over and over, until the letter is written the ‘right’ way. They love

exactness, too!

2
Dr. Maria Montessori, The Secret of Childhood, p. 195

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 Theory – Human Needs and Tendencies

Manipulation – Modern humans (not just Early Man!) need to use their hands every day,

typing, writing, grasping a water bottle, holding a knife to cut vegetables… if you’re a human

with hands, you will tend to use them. Infants grab at any object within range of their tiny hands,

always playing, or biting, or pulling.

Orientation – Just like Order, humans need two forms of Orientation: inner and outer.

Outer orientation is navigation of a world. Not just the ability to explore and get to where you’re

going, but also the ability to get back, or get to somewhere new. Small children will leave trails

of breadcrumbs so they won’t get lost. Humans need self-orientation, too. They need to feel like

they belong to a community (read: tribe?) and know that, no matter what arrives at their

doorstep, they will know where they are.

Repetition – According to Dr. Montessori, when a child keeps repeating a task, they are

trying to master that task. This ties back to the innate desire for perfection we can also see

manifested in the Precision Tendency. Repetition increases patience, and can build focus and

perserverance. When a child is lost in a task, they have repeated the task to the point where they

no longer need to be conscious of the task to do it. In the evolution of the species, man probably

needed to master certain tasks, like throwing a spear to catch dinner, or building a raft that

doesn’t sink.

Imagination – Sometimes called Abstraction, this is the tendency to produce

spontaneously. What is produced could be something imaginary (think of kids playing shop or

having a tea party with stuffed animals), or concrete, as in an artistic medium. Paint, chalk, clay,

sand… if kids have the tools to create, then they will create. Early man made rudimentary

musical instruments, which proves the existence of culture in ancient times. This use of the word

‘culture’ could be taken to mean any aspect of life that isn’t concerned directly with survival.

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 Theory – Human Needs and Tendencies

Communication – Communication is vital to the inherently-social human. With words

and symbols, we communicate our innermost feelings, as well as share knowledge and

information. Gestures, get-togethers, social media, phone calls, texting, e-mail, snail mail,

greeting cards, telegram, interpretive dance. We all need to communicate. For ancient man, it

was a necessity to find fresh sources of water, start a family, or even build a civilization. For

children, expressions and body language will do when words won’t suffice.

Control of Error Leading to Perfection – Here is where the other tendencies come

together. A child explores their classroom, manipulates an object, communicates to his friend

about it, repeats an action with the object, precisely does the action, finishes with the object, puts

it back, and re-orients themselves.

Mathematical Mind – This tendency manifests in their desire to count, classify, and

explore patterns and relationships in their environment. The Montessori method acknowledges

and nurtures this mathematical inclination by providing materials and activities that allow

children to develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts, such as quantity, numerals,

operations, and geometry. The Montessori approach to mathematics leads children to a strong

foundation in mathematical literacy and a lifelong appreciation for the beauty and logic of

mathematics.

SUMMARY

Other tendencies have been classified: concentration, gregariousness, and self-control, to

name a few. In actuality, many of the tendencies can be bundled together into different parsings.

But no matter how you categorize them, they all represent the same thing: a human being’s

Michael A. Clapis – Two Summer Blended Course for AMI Primary Certification, 2022
 Theory – Human Needs and Tendencies

fundamental desires, catalyzed by their needs. Humans grow, adapt, and make sense of the world

around them using their innate powers of awareness.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

"The Absorbent Mind" by Maria Montessori - In this seminal work, Montessori explores

the development of the child's mind and discusses the role of human tendencies in learning and

growth.

"The Discovery of the Child" by Maria Montessori - This book explores Montessori's

observations and insights into the needs and tendencies of children, providing practical guidance

for creating an environment that supports their development.

"The Secret of Childhood" by Maria Montessori - Montessori delves into the secrets of

childhood, including the understanding of human tendencies and how they shape the child's

growth and learning.

"Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius" by Angeline Lillard - This book delves

into the scientific foundations and research behind Montessori education, including an

exploration of human needs and tendencies and their role in the child's development.

"Montessori Today: A Comprehensive Approach to Education from Birth to Adulthood"

by Paula Polk Lillard - Lillard discusses the Montessori method across different age groups and

explores how the principles of human needs and tendencies are applied in practice.

"Montessori from the Start: The Child at Home, from Birth to Age Three" by Paula Polk

Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen - This book focuses on the early years and highlights the

importance of meeting the needs and supporting the tendencies of infants and toddlers.

Michael A. Clapis – Two Summer Blended Course for AMI Primary Certification, 2022
 Theory – Human Needs and Tendencies

"Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius" by Michael Duffy - This book offers an

overview of Montessori principles and includes a discussion of the human tendencies and their

significance in education.

"Montessori and Your Child: A Primer for Parents" by Terry Malloy - This book

provides parents with an introduction to Montessori education and emphasizes the understanding

of human needs and tendencies in supporting their child's development.

Michael A. Clapis – Two Summer Blended Course for AMI Primary Certification, 2022