Components of the Montessori Prepared Environment
The Prepared Environment (classroom) consists of the child, the materials, and the teacher. Each classroom is designed by the teacher. All classrooms contain items of beauty that reflect the best that can be offered by the culture in which the child lives. Each curriculum area is fully developed and dependent and integrated with the others.
The Teacher in the Classroom
Montessori schools require their lead teachers to hold a post graduate certification that is similar to a masters in child development. They undergo rigorous academic training and an intensive one or two year internship. Interns must pass an thorough exam and be cleared for certification after all required research is complete and lesson mastery has been demonstrated to an examination board. Even the substitute teachers at Central receive between 20 and 40 hours of in-house training before assuming responsibilities for children. Our children are in excellent hands.
The Materials in the Classroom
Montessori programs offer the largest curriculum available to young children. The classroom has science, geography and history as well as music, art and movement opportunities. There is a clear organization of materials: The simplest material is on the top right side of the shelf. The most complex material is on the lower left side of the shelf. Materials are clean and placed sequentially on the shelves. All areas of the curriculum are present at all times. There is ample space for children to work alone or with others and for children to move about freely. Everything a child needs to be successful must be present and accessible to the child. The child must have a sense of safety and well-being when (s)he enters the classroom every day.
The Child in the Classroom
Dr. Montessori viewed the child as both teacher and student. She observed, as we all have, that children learn how to walk, how to talk, and how to interact with others with only a minimal support and encouragement from adults that have full faith in the child’s ability to be successful. With only this gentle support, the child has taught himself/herself!
The child’s innate ability to observe others, concentrates, and repeat a task until it is mastered allows the child to learn at an incredible rate. Montessori recognized these impressive traits of childhood and designed environments, lessons and materials to support the child as (s)he teaches himself/herself.
By the time some children enter the classroom, they have already encountered situations that have stifled, frustrated, or truly hindered their ability to learn. Some children may need a bit of support to restore and utilize their strong innate abilities. Other children have reached the goals completely before they enter a Montessori classroom. (A few adults are still working to master these items.)
The Prepared Environment (classroom) consists of the child, the materials, and the teacher. Each classroom is designed by the teacher. All classrooms contain items of beauty that reflect the best that can be offered by the culture in which the child lives. Each curriculum area is fully developed and dependent and integrated with the others.
The Teacher in the Classroom
Montessori schools require their lead teachers to hold a post graduate certification that is similar to a masters in child development. They undergo rigorous academic training and an intensive one or two year internship. Interns must pass an thorough exam and be cleared for certification after all required research is complete and lesson mastery has been demonstrated to an examination board. Even the substitute teachers at Central receive between 20 and 40 hours of in-house training before assuming responsibilities for children. Our children are in excellent hands.
The Materials in the Classroom
Montessori programs offer the largest curriculum available to young children. The classroom has science, geography and history as well as music, art and movement opportunities. There is a clear organization of materials: The simplest material is on the top right side of the shelf. The most complex material is on the lower left side of the shelf. Materials are clean and placed sequentially on the shelves. All areas of the curriculum are present at all times. There is ample space for children to work alone or with others and for children to move about freely. Everything a child needs to be successful must be present and accessible to the child. The child must have a sense of safety and well-being when (s)he enters the classroom every day.
The Child in the Classroom
Dr. Montessori viewed the child as both teacher and student. She observed, as we all have, that children learn how to walk, how to talk, and how to interact with others with only a minimal support and encouragement from adults that have full faith in the child’s ability to be successful. With only this gentle support, the child has taught himself/herself!
The child’s innate ability to observe others, concentrates, and repeat a task until it is mastered allows the child to learn at an incredible rate. Montessori recognized these impressive traits of childhood and designed environments, lessons and materials to support the child as (s)he teaches himself/herself.
By the time some children enter the classroom, they have already encountered situations that have stifled, frustrated, or truly hindered their ability to learn. Some children may need a bit of support to restore and utilize their strong innate abilities. Other children have reached the goals completely before they enter a Montessori classroom. (A few adults are still working to master these items.)
