In a Montessori classroom the child experiences the joy and excitement of learning through his/her own choice. Dr. Montessori called the mind of a young child “the absorbent mind” because of each child’s unique aptitude for learning. She observed that there are periods in a child’s development when a child is drawn and selects materials that match his/her interests. A child in a Montessori classroom is taught through hands on activities that help develop the “total child” not just specific skill sets.

Within the Montessori classroom the directress prepares the environment, guides activities, presents lessons and encourages the individual development of each child. The materials used are designed to develop concentration, coordination and the necessary self-discipline and working habits needed for more advanced exercises in motor and sensory education, linguistic and mathematical concepts.

There are three main groups of materials:

• The Practical Life Exercises, which are the beginning activities for children between the ages of 18 months and 4 years old.
• The Sensorial Materials, which can be used by all ages in the class.
• The Academic Materials, which await each child's moments of interest in reading, arithmetic and geography.