The preparation of each Montessori environment includes the careful preparation of the Montessori developmental materials appropriate to that environment. The Montessori materials are sets of objects, each set designed to exacting specifications. In general the materials are designed to:

Montessori Classroom

A part of our weekly series of thoughts from Dr. Maria Montessori's work and writings - designed to promote further reflection on professional practice.

Child and teacher with musical instruments

A part of our weekly series of thoughts from Dr. Maria Montessori's work and writings - designed to promote further reflection on professional practice.

Child and teacher looking at seed pods

A part of our weekly series of thoughts from Dr. Maria Montessori's work and writings - designed to promote further reflection on professional practice.

Child pouring beads

A part of our weekly series of thoughts from Dr. Maria Montessori's work and writings - designed to promote further reflection on professional practice.

In recent years there has been much debate about the integration of digital technologies, specifically the use of computers, in early childhood settings. In the view of Montessori educators the disadvantages of computer use in early childhood settings outweigh the advantages. For this reason, computers are generally not found in Montessori early childhood settings for children under six years of age.

Maria Montessori was born on the 31st August 1870, in Chiaravalle, Italy. From an early age she broke through the traditional barriers for women, attending a technical school with initial ambitions to be an engineer, to go on to choose a career in medicine. In 1896 Montessori became one of the first Italian women ever to obtain a medical degree. In her early career as a doctor, she was asked to represent Italy at the International Congress for women’s rights in Berlin, where she called for equal pay for women.

Two children smiling in music class

A part of our weekly series of thoughts from Dr. Maria Montessori's work and writings - designed to promote further reflection on professional practice.

Child holding vase with flower

A part of our weekly series of thoughts from Dr. Maria Montessori's work and writings - designed to promote further reflection on professional practice.

Child outside climbing equipment

A part of our weekly series of thoughts from Dr. Maria Montessori's work and writings - designed to promote further reflection on professional practice.

Child folding Montessori classroom

A part of our weekly series of thoughts from Dr. Maria Montessori's work and writings - designed to promote further reflection on professional practice.

The Montessori curriculum is organised in a developmental sequence from one phase of learning to the next. Individual students, however, are able to work successfully through elements of the curriculum in a sequence unique to themselves. For this reason, comparisons between students may not be meaningful. The validity of norm-referenced assessment and the ranking of students are further reduced in the Montessori context because, in a multi-age classroom, there are comparatively small numbers of children at the same age and stage.

Primary aged girl on floor carpet with Montessori map material

A part of our weekly series of thoughts from Dr. Maria Montessori's work and writings - designed to promote further reflection on professional practice.

Young girl at table working on Montessori material

A part of our weekly series of thoughts from Dr. Maria Montessori's work and writings - designed to promote further reflection on professional practice.

Young girl cleaning table

A part of our weekly series of thoughts from Dr. Maria Montessori's work and writings - designed to promote further reflection on professional practice.