The Three Period Lesson

The three period lesson is one of the most important teaching tools in the Montessori method. It is a gentle, three-step way to introduce your child to a new name, concept, or idea — and it works for everything from colors and shapes to letter sounds, animals, and number symbols.

With slow, deliberate movements, show your child two of the concepts you wish to teach — such as big–small, tall–short, wide–narrow, light–heavy, smooth–rough, or soft–hard — using simple, appropriate objects. For example, to teach the concept of big and small, use a small ball and a big ball.

The three periods, step by step

Step One — Naming (“This is…”). Point to the large ball and say slowly and distinctly, “This is big.” Repeat until your child takes in the word. Point to the small ball and say, “This is small.” Repeat again. (Your child recognizes the new object, concept, or idea.)

Step Two — Recognition (“Show me…”). Ask, “Can you give me the big one?” and “Can you give me the small one?” If your child can do this, move to step three; if not, return gently to step one. This is the longest and most playful period — linger here. (Your child recognizes the difference at a concrete level.)

Step Three — Recall (“What is this?”). Point to an object and ask, “Which one is this?” If your child hesitates, simply step back to period two. (Your child now knows the difference at an abstract level and can name it on their own.)

This is a very positive, non-critical way to teach. There are no wrong answers — if your child isn’t ready, you simply return to an earlier period. Use this same approach to teach the names of colors, animals, number symbols, geometric shapes, and any new idea.

Materials that make it easy

Almost anything can become a three period lesson, but a few classic Montessori materials are made for it. Montessori three-part (nomenclature) cards — a picture card, a label card, and a control card — are the textbook tool for this lesson and a wonderful way to build vocabulary. For early sensorial work on dimension, a set of knobbed cylinders gives your child big–small and tall–short contrasts to name and order with their hands.

Maria Montessori’s own words

“There are, therefore, three periods: a first, subconscious one, when in the confused mind of the child, order produces itself by a mysterious inner impulse…; a second, conscious period, when there is some action on the part of the will…; and a third period when the will can direct and cause the acts, thus answering the command from someone else.” — Dr. Maria Montessori

Here’s a homey way to remember it: a multiple-choice test is like the second period — you only have to point to the right answer. An essay exam is the third period — it asks for the abstract knowledge to produce the answer yourself. And that first, foggy period? That’s the college lecture: “a mysterious inner impulse from the midst of disorder”!

Keep exploring

• What Is Sensorial Education?
• Color Tablets
• Sandpaper Letters