The Prepared Environment

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The Prepared Environment

The term prepared environment refers to the environment that provides the child what
is necessary for his development and thus meets his needs for self development. The first
prepared environment consists of the uterus and then the mother’s body. After that the home
is usually the prepared environment and finally, around 3 years of age the child will be
welcomed in the Children’s House and this will become the next prepared environment in
which he will spend most of his time and the place where he will be prepared to go to the next
plane of development.

Before the existence of Children’s Houses developed by Maria Montessori, children

lived and studied in spaces created for adults. After her observations and experience child
sized furniture was created for them. Gradually everything was made special for the child to
be used. Little utensils for their small hands and other objects for them to work. Materials are
organized in open shelves that are of the child’s level. In this way the child is able to work with
the materials and repeat exercises as long as he needs it. The prepared environment is
essential for the development of the child’s independence and will. The child will take
ownership of his environment and will naturally take care of it. As Maria Montessori said, the
prepared environment will help the child to perform his real work in the world.

The prepared environment must reflect the society and culture in which the child lives.
There are four main main areas in the prepared environment of the Children’s House:
a) Practical Life is the area which is the link between home and the Children’s House.
In this area small materials are offered to the child which will help him perform tasks of daily
life. Activities like food preparation, pouring, transfering, spooning, shoe polishing, washing
hands, sweeping are offered in this area. They will help the child develop control and
coordination and integrate his mind and body.
b) Sensorial. The child 3-6 is mainly a sensorial learnear, materials in this area allow
the child to organize their impressions in their mind.