The Montessori Classroom

The Montessori classroom is a child-sized world. Whatever is in the world outside can be incorporated meaningfully in the Montessori class. To a child, the world is unmanageable – it is too big, too complex and too confusing. By careful selection of the materials, the Montessori teacher – called the Guide – sets up an environment that allows the child to explore on a level s/he can understand. The materials and exercises are designed to stimulate independent exploration. This prepared environment entices the child to proceed at his/her own pace from simple activities to more complex ones. Through this process, the child’s natural curiosity is satisfied and s/he begins to experience the joy of discovering the world about him/her. Materials and curricula center around the subjects of practical life, sensorial, language, math, geography, history, geometry, biology, art, music, and creative movement.

The Montessori Teacher

The Montessori teacher is called a Guide because s/he guides the classroom activity. S/he carefully plans the environment in the interest of the children and helps the children progress from one activity to the next. The Guide is trained to deal with each child individually, allowing him/her to choose from many activities within his/her range of ability. S/he stands back while a child is working and allows him/her the satisfaction of his/her own discovery.

Please click on individual classroom pages for a peek at life and learning in those spaces.