On entering our typical Montessori classroom one is struck by the organization of the learning environment. ‘The Prepared Environment’ is a characteristic of the Montessori method. In this classroom, children are free to learn through ‘doing’ and ‘touching’; the children learn through practice and repetition of an activity until they have mastered the skill. That, in itself, is physically, spiritually and emotionally satisfying to a child. Not only does this sense of achievement boost self-esteem, but it produces a child who is self-motivated to learn.

The ‘Hands On Approach’ means that the children in the Montessori school are always engaged in one activity or another; and usually, the children in the same group are involved in different activities according to their needs, interests and abilities. Children are allowed to progress at their own pace with teachers providing a structured individual approach to learning. The systematic nature of the Montessori apparatus enables the child to monitor his or her own progress, always aiming at reaching the next level, having completed the previous one.