EVERYTHING education
CLASSROOM
learn, vs. a spontaneous
action that needs to be
stopped or corrected. As
the child learns to reflect
on her own acts, and
becomes more self aware,
she will be truly free to
explore and investigate
the world around her.
Observing more closely,
you will see the diverse
learning materials that
call to the children;
these materials fill the
inner need of their
quest for learning. Our
classrooms are supplied
with an amazing array
of materials through
which the child will
be drawn to touch and
manipulate, practice and
master. Most of these
materials are designed
to isolate one important
new concept for the
child to master, with
increasing challenges at
higher levels available
sequentially.
By observation, you will
notice that the teacher
in the Montessori
classroom does not
correct every mistake,
but she takes note so
that she can focus her
next lesson for that child
with precise accuracy
aiming towards the child
discovering the ‘missing
link’ from the previous
lesson.
For example, if a child
colors a tree trunk red,
she is not corrected, for
she has not yet become
an observer of trees,
but the teacher may
guide that child to sit
outside with others to
draw the trees that they
see. Eventually, it will
‘click’ and she will start
coloring her tree trunks
more realistic colors.
When you walk into a Montessori
classroom to observe, you will truly
be amazed at the active, engaged,
productive children who are
enthusiastic about learning. Montessori
classrooms are bright, sunny, and full of
action. Children will be counting into
the thousands in our 3-6 classrooms.
You will be amazed at how this group
of children can be so peaceful, yet
active and learning.
When a Montessori teacher sees a new child entering
her classroom, she sees a child full of possibilities.
She has been well trained in understanding how to
observe each and every child, looking for spontaneous
action that shows a child’s eagerness to explore and
We do not consider a child
disciplined only when he/
she is mute or immovable;
a child is considered
disciplined when he or she
has mastery of himself and
can, therefore, regulate his
own actions. The purpose
for reaching self-discipline
is not to eliminate activity
in a child, but to prepare
him for life, through habit
and practice. The liberty
of the child has a limit
only in the form of what
is universally acceptable
behavior. For example, we
must redirect a child who
offends or annoys others,
or demonstrates rough or
offensive behavior. The
Montessori classroom
allows and celebrates
spontaneous actions,
and never suffocates the
unfolding life of a child.
Please, come observe a
Montessori classroom;
you might be pleasantly
surprised to see such
young, eager learners,
helping themselves to
the inviting materials
and working together
to accomplish the great
work of becoming lifelong
learners.
Observing a
Montessori
Cynthia Thomas founded her first Montessori
school in Brevard County in 1983. She now
operates five schools throughout Florida. She
discovered Montessori’s unique approach when
her children attended a school in Hawaii. She
received her masters in education specializing in
Montessori from Charminade University in Hawaii.
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