Environment

The environment is an important component of Montessori education.  In her writings Montessori speaks about the importance of the environment to the human development of the whole child; physical, psychic, and spiritual.  Each aspect is nurtured through the environment to bring about an integrated occurrence that we commonly think of as learning.  A Montessori environment is a place of beauty and order both inside and out.  It is a “prepared” environment that satisfies the child’s developmental need for exploration and activity and will help her to become independent. 

In the classroom teachers take considerable time and care to create an environment that will spark a curiosity in the child.  The didactic materials are organized by logical groupings of each curricular area.  The shelving is placed so as to clearly delineate smaller quieter work space from larger areas that permit movement or group activity.  The outdoor environment is equally important and is prepared so that each space has an intended purpose for a variety of activities. 

The environment is important for all life.  At HCMS we expand on Montessori’s teaching to consider a “prepared” adult environment.  We understand that every person in the community has differing needs - the adult teacher, the parent, the school leadership and we work hard to create an environment that permits us to function as a team or in Montessori’s words - a cosmic whole.