The Prepared Environment
Prepared Environment
Montessori classrooms provide a prepared environment where children are free to respond to their natural tendency to work. The prepared environment offers the essential elements for optimal development. The key components comprise the children, teacher and physical surroundings including the specifically designed Montessori educational material. “When we turn to man, we see that rather than adapting to the environment, he creates an environment to suit himself. Man lives in a social environment, and within this environment, certain determinative spiritual forces are at work – the interrelationships among men that constitute their social lives. The man who does not live in an adaptive environment can neither develop his faculties normally nor learn to know himself. One of the central principles of modern educational theory deals precisely with the necessity of developing the social instinct of the child and encouraging his drive to live with his peers.” (Montessori, 1975, p. 41) Most environments are not made for children. Furniture, doors, appliances, fixtures are made for the comfort and ease of adults. Maria Montessori said, “If we had to live just one day in an environment such as the one we prepare for our children, I believe we also would find it painfully uncomfortable.” (Montessori, 1975, p. 42) Casa de bambini is a place where the child can continue to build his personality. The casa de bambini is a safe place for him to increase his independence. The prepared environment has been physically and psychologically prepared for the child. All their needs will be met through this environment. She can adapt to and feel part of her environment. Initially she did introduce toys but they were not interested in them. She was concerned about their hygiene and they loved hair brushing and hand washing. The children also fell in love with the environment and loved to water plants. She also brought in materials that were used with
Montessori classrooms provide a prepared environment where children are free to respond to their natural tendency to work. The prepared environment offers the essential elements for optimal development. The key components comprise the children, teacher and physical surroundings including the specifically designed Montessori educational material. “When we turn to man, we see that rather than adapting to the environment, he creates an environment to suit himself. Man lives in a social environment, and within this environment, certain determinative spiritual forces are at work – the interrelationships among men that constitute their social lives. The man who does not live in an adaptive environment can neither develop his faculties normally nor learn to know himself. One of the central principles of modern educational theory deals precisely with the necessity of developing the social instinct of the child and encouraging his drive to live with his peers.” (Montessori, 1975, p. 41) Most environments are not made for children. Furniture, doors, appliances, fixtures are made for the comfort and ease of adults. Maria Montessori said, “If we had to live just one day in an environment such as the one we prepare for our children, I believe we also would find it painfully uncomfortable.” (Montessori, 1975, p. 42) Casa de bambini is a place where the child can continue to build his personality. The casa de bambini is a safe place for him to increase his independence. The prepared environment has been physically and psychologically prepared for the child. All their needs will be met through this environment. She can adapt to and feel part of her environment. Initially she did introduce toys but they were not interested in them. She was concerned about their hygiene and they loved hair brushing and hand washing. The children also fell in love with the environment and loved to water plants. She also brought in materials that were used with
Bibliography: Maria Montessori (1975) The Child in the Family, Pan Books, Great Britain. Mario M. Montessori, Jr. (1976) Education for Human Development: Understanding Montessori, Schocken Books, New York. Maria Montessori (1996) The Secret of Childhood, Orient Black Swan, India.