“The first aim of the prepared environment is, as far as it is possible, to render the growing child independent of the adult.”
Dr. Maria Montessori, The Secret of Childhood

Many parents often wonder what differentiates Montessori schools from a typical daycare center or preschool. If you’ve ever been to a typical or traditional daycare center, you’re likely going to find it to be busy, noisy, and messy the moment you walk in. On the other hand, as soon as you enter a Montessori classroom, you’ll notice that it’s calm, quiet, and well-organized. Why are the two systems or approaches so drastically different? The answer lies in something Dr. Maria Montessori called the prepared environment.

Dr. Montessori’s concept of the “prepared environment” is that the environment must be created to allow the child to explore and learn independently to the greatest extent possible. The Montessori teacher/guide stages this environment and communicates it to the child, while ensuring that the order and atmosphere of independent learning are preserved. Through developmentally appropriate learning materials, the prepared environment allows each child to reach their potential. These materials range from the simple to the complicated, from the concrete to the abstract, and are appropriate based on the student’s age and ability.

As a result, there’s a lot of movement within the classroom as the child is presented with a variety of activities to pursue. Montessori classrooms are meant to provide lessons, activities, and equipment that are tailored to each child’s developmental needs, interests, and abilities. Not every child will be interested in every lesson which is why children are given the freedom to choose the ones that interest them the most and gravitate towards naturally.

Dr. Montessori believed that nature should be used to inspire children. For this reason, natural learning materials are used in the prepared environment. Instead of plastics, these materials are made of wood, metal, bamboo, cotton, and glass. Materials are also child-sized so that the child can work independently without becoming frustrated and without having to rely on an adult for assistance.

Freedom of choice is one of the fundamental goals of a Montessori prepared environment. Under this setting, students are given the freedom to explore and to move around freely without being inhibited, as well as the freedom to interact socially. Montessori classrooms encourage the development of empathy and compassion for others, making children more socially aware in the process.

The prepared environment is clutter-free, well-organized, and well-kept. The goal is for children to assimilate the structure and order of their surroundings and begin to make sense of the world around them. There is serenity, tranquility, and total harmony inside, making the Montessori classroom highly conducive to child’s work and learning.

The prepared environment at Pearlily Montessori ensures that everything the child experiences within it encourages independent learning and discovery. Lessons and learning materials are placed on low, conveniently accessible shelves. In addition, classrooms have child-sized furniture, fixtures, tools, and utensils. Students utilize true Montessori materials as they progress across the Four Avenues of Learning in Montessori: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, and Mathematics.