How the Montessori Classroom Promotes Learning and Independence
Essential to Montessori philosophy of education is empowering students to be independent and the physical classroom environment plays a big role in supporting children to develop that autonomy. Montessori philosophy is rooted in the physical learning environment. Montessori classrooms have a specific and consistent design that are intended to create a calm and orderly atmosphere where children feel grounded to do their best learning. When you visit a Montessori classroom, you will notice that there are many distinct features you may not find in other kinds of schools.
Child-Scaled Furniture
Montessori classrooms are purposefully designed to be spaces that children can navigate independently. While you won’t see traditional desks in a Montessori classroom, you will see tables and chairs that can move around into different configurations. All of the furniture is built out of natural wood to the proportions of the students to ensure that they can move around the classroom entirely on their own, without needing assistance from adults. Shelves are built to the children’s height and displays are hung at children’s eye level. The whole learning environment is carefully constructed to foster autonomy.
Large Open Work Space
Particularly at the Early Childhood and Lower Elementary levels, Montessori learning can take up a lot of space. A feature of Montessori classrooms is the ability for students to spread out and work on the floor. If you step into a classroom during a work cycle, you will probably see some small group lessons being taught by a teacher and many children working with materials independently or in small groups spread out around the classroom, some at tables and some using work rugs on the floor. This large space also doubles as an area for the classroom community to come together in a circle, which happens usually at the beginning and end of each day.
Open Shelves
In Early Childhood and Lower Elementary, Montessori materials fill the shelves of the classroom. During the work cycle, children move freely around the space choosing works off the shelves and returning them neatly when they are finished. While teachers guide students’ academic development through lessons and Work Plans, students’ freedom to explore the materials and work independently is an important feature of the Montessori approach. Montessori teachers carefully design the set up of their classrooms in a way that is inviting to children. Regularly rotating the materials on neatly organized and fully accessible shelves is one way that teachers create an environment that entices and motivates children to dive into learning.
Water Source and Cleaning Stations
“Restoring the environment” is an important concept in Montessori philosophy. This starts small with teaching children how to care for their own space in the classroom. Each Montessori classroom is equipped with cleaning supplies for the children to use, including brooms, mops, dustpans, and cloths to wipe down surfaces. Children understand that cleaning up after themselves and caring for the environment is part of the work and not an afterthought or something that will be done for them. In every classroom, you will also notice a child-accessible sink. Preparing food, watering plants, and caring for classroom pets are all part of the classroom work and free access to water is essential to children’s ability to independently participate in these big tasks.
Connection to Nature
An appreciation of nature and of our interconnectedness to the natural world is a key feature of Montessori philosophy. Montessori classrooms are designed with natural light in mind and take advantage of many large windows. Plants are abundant in Montessori environments and gardening has direct connections to the curriculum in science, math, culture, and culinary arts. At the younger levels, pets are beloved members of the classroom communities and children eagerly help to care for them. “Erdkinder” is a Montessori term meaning land children which is focused on children’s relationship to the natural world and can connect to all kinds of projects of varying complexity that connect across disciplines. In the younger grades, students experience this connection through exploring nature in the surrounding neighborhood and on campus. By Upper Elementary and Middle School, students strengthen their connection to the natural world through field trips and overnight trips, including a middle school hallmark experience: a four-day overnight trip to a working farm.
