The Montessori Classroom

What would strike someone most about going into a Montessori classroom for the first time?  Would it be the calm atmosphere, the easy co-operation between children of different ages, children choosing work for themselves, children moving calmly around the classroom? It may be any one of these.  For me, the first time I observed children at work in a Montessori environment, I was staggered by the total absorption of the children in the tasks in which they were engaged.

“The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say, ’The children are now working as if I did not exist.” (Maria Montessori)

Get the learning environment right and a child will flourish. Montessori calls this the prepared environment.  As trained Montessori directresses (Montessori believed that the main role of the teacher was as a link between the equipment and the children – hence this title rather than teacher) – we at The Parent Collaborative both feel so privileged that we have been able to witness children flourishing and loving learning, during the many years we have worked with them.  

The genius of Montessori lies not only in the prepared environment, the didactic materials she created and developed, but also in the hundreds and hundreds of hours of time she spent observing children and what they needed.  This body of research continues to inform and influence the educational world today.

So – going into a Montessori classroom, you will see Montessori equipment and materials neatly laid out on shelves.  We take it for granted today that these shelves are at a child’s height – this wasn’t the case pre-Montessori.  The same goes for tables and chairs – Montessori understood a child’s need to feel in control of their own environment and so created child-sized furniture.  You will see order – a place for everything and everything in its place.  But again – there’s far more to it all than meets the eye!  There is only one of every piece of Montessori equipment in order for children to take on board the need to share and wait their turn.  This they do without the need for intervention from an adult.

Children need freedom within limits so you will see children free to move around the classroom and choose their own work. The equipment is designed and based on what Montessori observed children needed – so much of the equipment is sensory – allowing children to learn through their senses and retain information in their muscular memory as well as their short and long term memory.  

“Help me to do it myself”

Above all, children are driven by a need for independence.  The prepared environment allows children to thrive and develop a real love of learning. Thus, you will see children working on their own, or in a group or with a friend or directress – following their own interests and needs.  In doing this, children are learning to be self-disciplined and self-motivated in a collaborative and nurturing environment.

If you are thinking about potential Nursery Schools for your child and not sure where to start– why not give us a call – we can talk through the process with you – or you could join us at one of our parent groups.  We look forward to hearing from you.