3. Beauty

Montessori

environments

should

be

beautiful.

Whether

your

school

is

in

an

old

Victorian

mansion

or

in

a

strip-mall

or

in

the

living

room

of

your

home,

the

environment

should

suggest

a

simple

harmony.

Uncluttered

and

well

maintained,

the

environment

should

reflect peace and tranquility.

The

environment

should

invite

the

learner

to

come

in

and

work.

This

atmosphere

is

easily

seen

by

the

attitude

of those working there, both child and adult.

4. Nature and Reality

Montessori

had

a

deep

respect

and

reverence

for

nature.

She

believed

that

we

should

use

nature

to

inspire

children.

She

continually

suggested

that

Montessori

teachers

take

the

children

out

into

nature,

rather

than

keeping

them

confined

in

the

classroom.

This

is

why

natural

materials

are

preferred

in

the

prepared

environment.

Real

wood,

reeds,

bamboo,

metal,

cotton,

and

glass

are

preferred

to

synthetics

or

plastics. It is here where child-size real objects come into play.

Furniture

should

be

child-size

so

the

child

is

not

dependent

on

the

adult

for

his

movement.

Rakes,

hoes,

pitchers,

tongs,

shovels

should

all

fit

children’s

hands

and

height

so

that

the

work

is

made

easier, thus ensuring proper use and completion of the work without frustration.