The Prepared Environment: The Montessori Classroom
The Prepared Environment is a term coined by Maria Montessori to describe the Montessori classroom.
It means an intentional, peaceful, and protective environment for children
that corresponds to their developmental needs,
and their amazing ability to absorb and teach themselves from their surroundings.
Everything in the prepared environment is for the purpose of assisting the child's
healthy physical, mental, and psychological development, natural learning abilities, and
wholesome personality and character formation.
This is why Montessori classrooms typically have a quality of simple beauty and order, with interesting activities (work) arranged neatly on low, open shelves. They are thoughtfully designed to enhance the child's freedom and independence, as well as the child's sense of security. The prepared environment invites activity without being over stimulating. It is arranged in such a way that
a child can be successful doing things for him/herself without the immediate help of adults.
The importance of the child's environment is unique to Montessori education. In fact, Maria Montessori considered the emphasis on the environment to be the most unique feature of her method.
Another highly unique feature of the Montessori method is the grouping of Mixed- Ages.
The Prepared Environment is a term coined by Maria Montessori to describe the Montessori classroom.
It means an intentional, peaceful, and protective environment for children
that corresponds to their developmental needs,
and their amazing ability to absorb and teach themselves from their surroundings.
Everything in the prepared environment is for the purpose of assisting the child's
healthy physical, mental, and psychological development, natural learning abilities, and
wholesome personality and character formation.
This is why Montessori classrooms typically have a quality of simple beauty and order, with interesting activities (work) arranged neatly on low, open shelves. They are thoughtfully designed to enhance the child's freedom and independence, as well as the child's sense of security. The prepared environment invites activity without being over stimulating. It is arranged in such a way that
a child can be successful doing things for him/herself without the immediate help of adults.
The importance of the child's environment is unique to Montessori education. In fact, Maria Montessori considered the emphasis on the environment to be the most unique feature of her method.
Another highly unique feature of the Montessori method is the grouping of Mixed- Ages.
