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Dr. Maria Montessori established her first in Rome. It was here, in 1906, that “Casa dei
Bambini” or Children’s House was opened.
This is a place the children can call their own. When we talk about a Montessori classroom,
one of the most important factors is the prepared environment. The goal of the Montessori
prepared environment is to be a calm soothing place for the children away from the fast
paced adult world. The prepared environment facilitates the child’s independence,
concentration, coordination, and sense of order.
Dr. Montessori felt that children experience what are called sensitive periods. She noticed
that children from birth had a sensitive period for language and therefore acquired it on their
own. They also have a sensitive period for movement when babies learn to crawl then to
walk. This is all done on their own; humans do not need to be taught to speak or walk. She
realized through hours of observation that to facilitate these sensitive periods the
environment needed to be for the children. For that reason, she developed the prepared
environment of the Montessori classroom. All the furniture is fit to them. All items are within
their reach and are always made available. When a child has a desire to work with numerals
she can choose a work from the shelf to satisfy that need. When a child has a desire for
movement he can choose the Red Rods or Pink Tower. The pictures on the walls are hung
low so the children may view them. The environment is made and kept beautiful. Because of
this concept it transfers into their desire to keep everything beautiful and in order.
Every day at school is much the same as the previous day. When the children arrive they
know what to expect and what is expected of them. This routine gives them a sense of
wellbeing, with not too much change and, therefore less stress. An article from Montessori
Today, described the feeling one gets when they have lost something, for instance, their car
keys: a feeling of tension and anxiety. The article went on to describe how one feels when
they think of something that is always there, perhaps their bed or a favorite chair. Here there
is a feeling of calm and comfort.
This is what Montessorian’s strive for when preparing the environment.
This is a place where one feels secure and at ease.
This is a place that fosters independence.
This is a place that reveals success.
This is a Children’s House.
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