At its heart, the Montessori Method emphasizes independence, freedom within limits, and a respect for the child. Classroom spaces are purposefully designed and materials carefully curated in pursuit of an education partnership. Multi-aged classrooms provide benefits that are readily apparent when visiting the classroom. Younger children in the classroom have an opportunity to observe and imitate the older students as they work. Older students have an opportunity to reinforce their own knowledge by explaining what they are doing while assisting and mentoring younger children. Each child can learn and develop at their own pace within a classroom that accommodates many levels of ability and complexity. All Montessori educators are familiar with what we call the “three-hour work period". As the name suggests, this is a threehour chunk of time in the morning in which the children receive presentations, choose materials, and work in the various curriculum areas Children can work at their own pace on activities that interest them, Every Montessori classroom is divided into the five main subject areas: Practical Life, Sensorial Development, Language, Mathematics, and Culture.
