The Montessori classroom is a prepared environment, a positive and natural place for children to develop individually and gradually, with neither failure nor competition.  The purpose of the specially designed equipment of the Montessori prepared environment is to guide the children towards independence in all spheres of development - physical, intellectual, moral, spiritual and social.

Multi age group

In Montessori classrooms, there is a three year age range. This arrangement provides an atmosphere of community in which everyone learns from one another and everyone contributes.

As children get older, they assume a greater role within the class groups.  Along with becoming an inspiration and role model, they also spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger children in the class. The mixed age group fosters and provides many opportunities for social development.

Cooperation, not competition, is modelled from within the group and takes place naturally and occurs because of respect for each individual.



Freedom within limits

The structured Montessori classroom provides freedom within clear limits.  It gives children flexibility to make their own choices about the kind of work to engage in, and whether to do it collaboratively or individually.

Freedom does not mean that children can do whatever they like whenever they like.  Rather, children are encouraged to think independently and act as a member of a social group.  This is achieved, within clearly defined boundaries, through the freedom the children have of movement, of interaction and association, and the freedom they have to choose their own work and to learn at their own pace. They are redirected promptly and firmly, if their actions interfere with the freedom of others.

Through years of observation around the world, Montessori came to understand that children, when left in freedom, displayed a distinct work cycle which was so predictable if could even be graphed. This cycle, with two peaks and one valley, lasted approximately three hours. In our classrooms, we aim for children to have three hours of open, uninterrupted time to choose independent work, become deeply engaged, and repeat to their own satisfaction.


The Montessori teacher

Like all great teachers, the Montessori teacher deliberately models the same behaviours and attitudes she is working to instil in her students.

The Montessori teacher is a trained observer of children's learning and behaviour.  These observations are recorded and used to determine where each child is in his or her development.  This also leads the teacher to know when to intervene in the child's learning with a new lesson, a fresh challenge or a reinforcement of basic ground rules.

As children learn in many different ways and at their own pace, the Montessori teacher is trained to "follow the child" and enhance the development of each of her pupils.  They do this to a large degree, through the design of the classroom, selection and organisation of learning activities and the structure of the day.