Dr Montessori discovered that young children have a unique aptitude for learning not found again at any other period of life. Montessori identified this quality as the "absorbent mind."

The young child literally absorbs information from his or her surroundings. During certain periods in this phase of development s/he is more easily able to absorb specific types of learning.

Dr. Montessori referred to these as the "sensitive periods." Acquiring information in this way is a natural and delightful activity for the young child who employs all his senses to investigate his interesting surroundings.

Since the child retains the ability to learn by absorbing until s/he is almost seven years old, Dr. Montessori reasoned that a classroom where s/he could handle the materials that would demonstrate basic educational information could enrich his or her experience.

Montessori designed just this kind of classroom, and she called it the "prepared environment." In this environment everything is scaled to the child's size; the material is attractive, didactic, and presented in an orderly manner.