It is that time of the year again where Montessori educators are preparing the children’s learning environment for a new school year.  Whether you are a Montessori directress in a Montessori school or a home schooling parent, the preparation of the learning environment is crucial!  First things first….Order is important.  

When the child comes to school (about the age of two and a half to three) the observance of the first law in a Montessori classroom is,

“A place for everything and everything in its place.”  (Maria Montessori, Her Life and Work, E.M. Standing p. 270)

In my very first classroom, I had that little quote, “A place for everything and everything in its place,” hung in a small frame beneath the light switch.  I read it enough to the class that all the children knew it well!  I believe this small organizational tidbit is a great life lesson to absorb and put into practice.

In addition to order there should be beauty and accessibility in all areas.  Our goal is to lead the child to be independent!  That means that even their personal cubbies should not be above their heads but on their level, so they can put away their lunch boxes and coats.  This area should allow them to enter the classroom put away their things and then go to work, without the assistance of an adult.  In fact, coming in and putting their own things away is the first work of the day!  In your home, coat racks and shoe storage areas all should be at their level and accessible.

When organizing the work on the shelves remember the practice of placing materials in a “progressive order of difficulty.”  This will allow the children to see what is next in their process of learning.  It also creates an excitement in the children as they anticipate working on the next level or work.

The following is a check list to aid you in preparing your classroom:

• Difficult objects to carry are placed on the top shelf
• No clutter!  Plenty of space between trays
• Materials are placed on trays or in containers that are easy for the children to carry
• Provide an abundance of table mats and floor rugs to divide each child’s work space
• Create a beautiful and a little isolated individual reading area
• Create a ellipse/circle/group time area so that all children may see
• Nice paintings or prints should be framed and hung at the CHILDREN’s eye level!
• Plants should be throughout the classroom for the children to tend
• There should be plenty of miniature brooms and dustpans
• Create the 5 basic areas but consider adding an ART SHELF and SCIENCE SHELF
• Plenty of clipboards and paper cut of various sizes with pencils sharpened, ready for use
• ,Consider having a CD player or small speaker for streaming classical music for the children to hear throughout their day

The first few days in a Montessori environment can be frustrating for the new child since they have not had lessons on the materials.  I suggest that you have a shelf with materials that are self-explanatory and interesting.  Materials that will engage their hands and their minds.  Such as puzzles on various levels, rubbing stencils, peg boards, chalkboards and chalk, etc.  Remember, self-discipline is acquired when an individual is “absorbed” in something that they enjoy doing!  So, new students and returning students should all have interesting and engaging work!

Part of the setting up and maintaining the environment is a simple set of guidelines or rules for the children.  These should be kept at a minimum:

1. We take only what we have been shown.
2. We put the work back where we found it and how we found it.
3. We never disturb someone else’s work.

Once your environment is set up and the children begin to arrive, don’t forget to teach and reinforce the simple guidelines or rules.  When presenting these guidelines or rules remember to demonstrate and then ask the children to demonstrate back to you.  Children learn best when DOING rather than through lectures.  First presentations are the mechanics of the classroom such as rolling up your mat, pushing in your chair and walking in the classroom. 

Setting up your learning environment is not only important but FUN!  Invite other Montessori educators to come into your classroom to give you suggestions.  Work together to create interesting and exciting learning environments.  These basic fundamentals in this article may seem simple but they are extremely important in creating a learning environment that is constructive, practical, and positive!