The Montessori classroom is a child’s world. It is created to meet the needs of the child and adapted to his or her size. It is designed to meet the space, needs and interests of children between the ages of three and six. It is designed to put the child at ease by giving him or her freedom in an environment prepared with attractive materials.
These materials are arranged on low shelves within easy reach of every child (Simons & Simons, 1984). The tables and chairs in the classroom are movable, permitting a flexible arrangement for many activities. The children also work on small mats on the floor where they are naturally comfortable.
The Montessori materials in the classroom can be divided into three main groups:
- the Practical Life Exercises, which are the beginning activities for three and four-year old children
- the Sensorial Materials, which can be used by all ages in the class
- the Academic Material, which awaits each child’s moment of interest in reading, arithmetic and geography