The Prepared Environment

Montessori classrooms are intentionally prepared environments where nearly everything is designed specifically to meet the child's developmental needs. It is the role of the Guide to connect the child to the environment, and it is there that the child will teach herself. The furniture is of various sizes to fit the children's growing bodies, the shelves are low, the pictures on the wall are hung at the child's eye level, the water pitchers are small enough for growing hands, and the sponges are cut in half so a child can easily squeeze the water out. It is not just that the environment is "child-sized", but that the materials are functional for a child to use independently and with real purpose. There are cultural objects from around the world for the children to touch and explore, there are a variety of natural textures the children will feel as they use various materials, and there are fragile objects to handle. There are plants and animals to care for and places to daydream. The classroom offers opportunities to practice grace and courtesy.

The children also learn to help others and care for their environment. Materials are limited in number and only one of each activity is available. The children are never asked to share but to respect the work of others and to fully concentrate on their own chosen activity. When finished, the work goes back to the shelf ready for the next person. This is a much higher level of consideration than sharing.