Montessori classrooms are designed to provide a comfortable welcoming, and pressure-free environment conducive to learning. Montessori classrooms look far different from the traditional classrooms in regular schools.
How are Montessori classrooms setup? Montessori classrooms are set up in separate learning areas in a progressive manner. They have limited decor, soft lighting, and natural furnishings, and are organized in a particular order. Classrooms in Montessori do not have desks and chairs, and a teacher’s platform in front like in traditional schools. They are set up like a giant playroom where students have the freedom to move around while learning.
Learning Areas in a Montessori Classroom
The Montessori classroom has different learning areas dedicated to the 5 learning areas – language, math, practical life, sensorial, and cultural studies.
Montessori teachers group and arrange materials of the same learning area on adjoining shelves so kids have easy access to the activities they want to work on their own time.
Language
The language area contains Montessori learning materials that will develop oral language, reading, writing, comprehension, and other language skills.
The language area contains learning materials that stimulate students’ curiosity in the English language.
Mathematics
Montessori teachers logically arrange the math materials so students can start with simple math activities and progress to complicated problem-solving.
Math materials are interactive and easy to use. It allows children to learn on their own or work together with their peers for better learning.
Practical Life
This area is designed to help students develop important life skills and character traits that children can use in life.
The learning materials can include cleaning and cooking tools, books, gardening area, napping area, etc.
Practical life lessons also teach children to be positive, responsible, confident, independent, grace, and courtesy.
Sensorial
This learning space contains Montessori materials and toys that stimulate the students’ senses.
The activities help with coordination, classification, and sorting of objects, and many more.
Examples of learning materials in the sensorial play area are pink towers, touch tables, smelling bottles, sorting materials, and many others.
Cultural Studies
Cultural studies cover a wide range of subjects like sciences, foreign languages, history, art, music, civics, etc.
Learning materials in the cultural studies area are rotated regularly to cover all subjects.
Classroom Decoration
One thing you will notice in a Montessori classroom is that it is very organized and has fewer decorations. Any decorations serve a purpose and help in the learning process.
No item in the Montessori classroom does not aid in children’s education.
- High-quality child-sized furniture
- Organized, pre-determined, and separate learning areas for different subjects
- Open shelves within easy reach of young students
- Organized and clutter-free
- Wall decorations are limited to selected purposeful arts, charts, and cork boards
- Montessori materials and toys are made from natural materials like wood, metal, and cloth
- No battery-operated toys
- Realistic decorations
- Decorations encourage practical life skills
- No plastic materials
Natural Furnishings
Furniture and other furnishings are made from natural materials, mostly wood. Wood has different textures that offer various tactile experiences.
Natural furnishings provide a realistic feel of the Montessori environment. It is safe and durable.
Children’s furniture is custom-made to fit their age and size.
Soft-Lighting
Soft lighting helps the Montessori classroom feel comfortable and safe. It gives a natural feel to the room. It is easy on the eyes and makes learning easy.
Harsh lighting is uncomfortable and is not conducive to learning.
Organized
The Montessori classroom is a curated environment. It is well-thought of and arranged logically to make learning progression smooth and easy
The learning materials, even the decor are arranged from simple and easy to complex and difficult concepts.
Characteristics of a Montessori Classroom
Montessori classrooms share common characteristics that differentiate them from traditional ones.
Montessori classrooms are simple and organized, encourage independent learning and collaborative work, and offer overall comfort to students.
There are no distractions and unnecessary items. It provides opportunities to develop positive character traits and overall developmental growth.
FAQs
Is the Montessori classroom better than traditional classrooms? Yes, Montessori classrooms are much better than traditional classrooms. Traditional classrooms are only furnished with desks and chairs facing the teacher’s desk in front. Students sit all day listening to teachers feed information and take regular tests to evaluate their progress. This is far different from the Montessori classroom we described above. Montessori does not spoon-feed information. It gives students a Montessori environment where they can learn on their own or work with their peers to pursue their own learning. The Montessori classroom provides the necessary tools.
Will young children, 2 to 3 years old thrive in a Montessori classroom? Yes, they will. Montessori education was established especially for children 0 to 6 years old. It was designed to support the formative year of the child. The younger you expose your child to the Montessori method, the better they learn and develop intellectually, emotionally, physically, and socially.
How many teachers are there in a Montessori classroom? A Montessori classroom has one teacher in charge. In most schools, they have teaching assistants to help handle the daily activities in the classroom. A Montessori classroom has a student-teacher ratio of 15:1. Classrooms with younger students like 2 to 3 years old have a student-teacher ratio of 10:1. One Montessori teacher is in charge of the whole class but other specialist teachers help teach the children too. Most Montessori schools hire arts and music teachers, even sports teachers, and many others.
Summary
Montessori classrooms are set up in separate learning areas in a progressive manner. They have limited decor, soft lighting, and natural furnishings, and are organized in a particular order. Classrooms in Montessori do not have desks and chairs, and a teacher’s platform in front like in traditional schools. They are set up like a giant playroom where students have the freedom to move around while learning.
The best classroom for your children is the Montessori classroom. Children get the right amount of support and encouragement to become independent learners. They are given the freedom to move and have fun while learning. Their Montessori education helps them become good students and better individuals.