Infant Montessori Environment by https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj Jacqueline Schmidt en-us 2020-08-15 16:18:14 UTC 2026-01-20 08:38:34 UTC hello@padlet.com Prepared Environment jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681434119 Every Montessori environment must also meet the developmental needs of each child both socially and intellectually. As children mature and develop, they become more aware of the people around them, and how they fit into their world.Children learn to be kind, they learn to encourage, and they learn what it means to help others. A strong sense of compassion and empathy is instilled and developed as the child becomes more socially aware. The prepared environment fosters social interactions and encourages these skills to be practiced independently. The intellectual needs of the children can only be met if all of the other facets of the environment are recognized and engaged. The purpose of the environment is to develop the whole child, socially, emotionally, mentally, not just intellectually.  Through providing opportunities and materials to grow in practical life, sensorial, language, mathematics and social studies, the child is able to develop and hone that skillset. Children are successful in learning with various sensorial, tangible materials, that progress from simple to complex, and concrete to abstract. ]]> 2020-08-15 16:24:09 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681434119 Infant Room Set Up jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681438665 An infant room includes key components of a Montessori environment such as freedom of movement, choice, and materials accessible to the child and appropriate for their age and development. When you walk into an infant room, the environment will have simple and appropriately sized furniture to promote independent movement. There will be low shelving with soft, tactile work that can be explored by all senses, especially the mouth. A baby learns and develops the capacity to walk without being taught this skill because the need and urge to do so is so strong. During this sensitive period, as the child continues to grow, mature and develop, the movements and coordination of that child do too. ]]> 2020-08-15 16:35:51 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681438665 Open Space Promotes Independent Movement jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681441034 As adults, we must provide time and an appropriate environment that allows the child to explore, wiggle, crawl, scoot, stand and eventually walk. So, when you enter an infant room, you will see open space in the room to freely explore floor movement. There will be a comfortable matt or cushion, a pull up bar, mirrors, mobiles hanging from the ceiling to watch as the children explore back and tummy time.]]> 2020-08-15 16:42:34 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681441034 Infants Need Very Specific Furniture to Promote Independence and Self-Care jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681441868  There will be a rocking chair for bottle feeding, and an area for the children to sit while they eat at a weaning table. Younger infants will be changed on a changing table, engaged in conversation and explanation of what is happening, while older standing infants will be changed in the bathroom standing up, holding onto the counter for stability. While the infant is changed in the bathroom space, they are exposed and observe others using the toilet and eventually will do so themselves. You will see floor beds for sleeping and the children will lay down for rest as they feel tired throughout the day. ]]> 2020-08-15 16:44:49 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681441868 Montessori Supports Development and Educates the Mind, Body and Soul jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681444696 As adults, we often assume that our task is to mold or shape our children. We sometimes feel like we need to teach them to learn or think in specific ways, but that could not be further from the truth. Children learn on their own time, at their own pace, driven and inspired by their own inner need to develop, grow and mature to their fullest potential. What our task really is, is to assist in development by observing, preparing the environment, and providing the proper materials and opportunities that correspond and align with each child’s inner needs at the right time. ]]> 2020-08-15 16:50:52 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681444696 Materials and the Beauty of the Physical Space Require Time and Money jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681445020 A Montessori Environment must be beautiful and inviting. Each child should walk into the space and be embraced with a sense of comfort, a sense of community, a sense of home. As P. Donohue Shortridge says, “The child feels safe in the Montessori prepared environment because his needs are met respectfully and faithfully” (Shortridge, P., 2011). It is important that the classroom has a clean and orderly set up, decorative paintings on the wall, real, authentic pictures, plants, and shelves filled with attractive materials, organized in a simple and approachable way. All of these aspects will engage the child and encourage freedom of choice, without adult influence.]]> 2020-08-15 16:51:44 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681445020 Maria Montessori defined the goal of education as "the development of a complete human being, oriented to the environment, and adapted to his or her time, place and culture." (Lillard 1996, Pg. 3) jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681450818 Montessori Today by Paula Polk Lillard]]> 2020-08-15 17:06:38 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681450818 "This is education, understood as a help to life; an education from birth, which feeds a peaceful revolution and unites all in a common aim, attracting them as to a single center." (Montessori 1995, pg. 17) jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681451853 Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori ]]> 2020-08-15 17:09:49 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681451853 "All are agreed that with proper care and help the child has it in him to grow to greater strength, to attain a better mental balance and a more energetic character." (Montessori, 1995, pg. 15) jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681452679 2020-08-15 17:12:00 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681452679 "The teacher's task is not to talk, but to prepare and arrange a series of motives for cultural activity in a special environment made for the child." (Montessori 1995, pg, 8) jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681454154 The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori ]]> 2020-08-15 17:15:46 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681454154 Maria Montessori believed that “the first aim of the prepared environment is, as far as it is possible, to render the growing child independent of the adult.” (Montessori, M. 1996). She believed in the freedom to explore. She emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for children to follow their interests and inner urges to engage in those interests. jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681455713 The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori]]> 2020-08-15 17:19:28 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681455713 A Montessori Environment must be beautiful and inviting. Each child should walk into the space and be embraced with a sense of comfort, a sense of community, a sense of home. As P. Donohue Shortridge says, “The child feels safe in the Montessori prepared environment because his needs are met respectfully and faithfully” (Shortridge, P., 2011). jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681456352 2020-08-15 17:21:16 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681456352 When the environment is always arranged the same way, the child begins to rely on that sense of order and wishes for each object to continue to have its’ own place. As these senses of order are developed, the child begins to trust the environment and feels secure in the world around them (Montessori, M. 1995). jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681456731 2020-08-15 17:22:18 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681456731 “Despite their easy freedom of manner, the children on the whole gave the impression of being extraordinarily disciplined. They worked quietly, each one intent on his own particular occupation. They quietly walked to and fro as they took or replaced the objects with which they worked. They would leave the classroom, take a look at the courtyard and then return. They carried out their teacher’s bidding with surprising rapidity.” (Montessori, 1966, p. 129) jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681457566 2020-08-15 17:24:40 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681457566 “The child needs to do things by himself from the beginning of life, from the moment he is capable of doing things. We have so often heard children of a few years say: “help me to do it by myself.” By helping the child to do things by himself, you are helping the independence of the child.” (Montessori, 2007, p. 9) jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681458054 2020-08-15 17:26:00 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681458054 jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681458520 2020-08-15 17:27:14 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681458520 jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681459273 2020-08-15 17:29:30 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681459273 jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681459696 2020-08-15 17:30:37 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681459696 jacquelineschmidt22 https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681460451 2020-08-15 17:32:39 UTC https://padlet.com/jacquelineschmidt22/fgtfzl51jp7gsfqj/wish/681460451