Setting up the learning environment

The effective learning program in the Montessori approach is based on three main axes: the child, the teacher, and the surrounding environment.

Child (either a normal child or a special ability child)

The teacher is the link between the child and the environment in which he learns, and this environment should be carefully arranged and scientifically intended if we want to achieve the child’s growth and development we seek.

The learning environment is the most important and influential factor in supporting the development of the child or their disability. The success of applying the Montessori Method depends on the extent of our success in preparing the environment in which we receive the child and provide him with different learning programs.

1 – Setting up the learning environment (classroom or home)

There are a set of fixed principles that should be provided in that environment, namely:

• Organized, (Everything has its own place, and there is always a place for anything we need.)

• Interesting and attractive

• Suitable for the child’s size, and safe for him.

• Easy to use (the child handles it easily and does not get frustrated because of it)

• Hygienic (good ventilation and natural light that is suitable and comfortable for the eyes, i.e. Not using too much bright white light)

• Simple and does not distract the child’s attention (does not have annoying wall colors or cartoons and pictures that do not match reality)

• Related to nature (with plants (fruits – vegetables…..) and pets.

2 – Montessori tools and how to acquire them.

The application of the Montessori approach requires a set of tools, which have been specially and scientifically designed. Everything in these tools and the way they are presented aims at the development of the child in a systematic way, and this method has proven its effectiveness over decades.

Everyone who wants to get Montessori tools should make sure that they are of high quality and safe according to the standards that were set for them, and to achieve this there are several ways:

First: Buying from companies and outlets that adhere to quality and safety standards: they can be identified through Internet, but we will face the problem of high shipping costs due to the large weight of the tools because they are often made of wood.

An alternative solution is to look for homemade alternatives if cost is an obstacle to you

Second: Manufacturing: In the places that offer training programs for preparing and graduating Montessori teachers, they train the trainee on the exact sizes of all the educational tools used, how to manufacture them and test their quality, and even ask him to manufacture some tools himself for evaluation.

 Thus, we expect a Montessori teacher to have the ability to direct a carpenter to manufacture the necessary furniture and tools at an appropriate cost instead of buying them. It is preferable that the carpenter has knowledge of the Montessori method and professionally manufactures its tools.