Montessori classroom

The classroom is the child’s special place. Everything in the classroom is child-sized and within a child’s reach. Children choose their own work and are expected to return work to its proper place. The materials include practical life, art, and sensorial activities as well as language, math, science, culture, and geography. Children choose their activities from open shelves and work in defined areas –rugs on the floor or at tables. The materials are concrete and self-correcting. The teacher is there to demonstrate new materials when a child is ready.

Montessori’s method lets the child be self directed. Teachers do not obviously direct but let children do things when they are ready, show an interest, and according to the sensitive periods. “When education of children is organized in relation to their sensitive periods, they work with a sustained enthusiasm which has to been seen in order to be believed. Then ‘all is easy, all is eagerness, all is life; and every effort brings an increase of power. How different from our adult work with its external motive…Urged on by this intellectual love, in a joyful simplicity of soul, a child can make enormous progress.’ That is why children, in the freedom of a Montessori school, often accomplish in a few weeks, in some particular subject, what would have taken months to learn at the tempo of ordinary class teaching” (Marie Montessori: Her Life and Work, E.M. Standing, p133).

Since the children’s ages range from 3 to 6 years, they have the distinct advantage of learning from older children as well as reinforcing skills by helping younger children. This range in age also encourages cooperation, respect for others’ needs and reduces competition. “… mutual aid naturally takes the place of competition. Far from trying to outdo each other, or displaying any jealousy, these children are always helping one another. The older and more advanced show a keen interest in the progress of the younger and more backward; and it is often quite touching to observe the way in which the former regard the triumphs of the latter with as much joy as if they had been their own achievements" (Marie Montessori: Her Life and Work, E.M. Standing, p177).

The freedom enjoyed by the children does not mean the class is undisciplined. The children are expected to work quietly without disturbing other children. They may work alone or in a small group. The kindergarten class offers additional learning experiences in the afternoon when the younger children’s classroom time has ended.