" Some students learn without having ever received any lessons, solely through listening to the lessons given to others."
Between birth and the age of 6 children learn through their senses by absorbing all their surroundings offer, both good and bad.
Between birth and 3 children unconsciously absorb sensory input from their environment. The absorption of sensory input forms connections between brain-cell neurons.
In other words, children explore and form themselves. Between the ages of 3 and 6 absorption becomes more conscious with each learning experience building on the initial foundation laid in the 0-3 period. The absorbent mind theory explains the whole of early language acquisition.
" Education is a natural process carried out by the human individual, and is acquired not by listening to words but by experiences in the environment."
Dr Montessori identified 11 sensitive periods or windows of opportunity for learning from birth to age 6. Each refers to a predisposition compelling the child to acquire specific characteristics. Ages of the onset and conclusion of each sensitive period are approximate. The 11 sensitive periods are; movement, language, small objects, order, music, grace & courtesy, refinement of the senses, writing, reading, spatial relationships, mathematics.
3. The Prepared Environment |
" Plainly the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission."
 A prepared environment refers to the classroom. Each classroom is a 'learning laboratory' in which children are allowed to explore, discover and select their own activities. This is their 'work'. The Montessori goal is less to teach the child facts and concepts, but rather to help him/her fall in love with the process of focusing his/her attention on some challenge and solving its riddle with enthusiasm and joy.
A Montessori classroom is filled with vast arrays of sequenced learning activities. The materials are displayed on open shelves-arranged in sequence from most simple to most challenging. Because of this order children have access to exactly the right material at exactly the right time of their development.
"The didactic materials control every error. It is precisely in these errors that the educational importance of the material lies."
The design of many materials gives the children instant feedback. Called the Control of Error, this feature makes it possible for Montessori students to determine for themselves if they have done the exercise correctly.
" The exercises of practical life are formative activities, a work of adaptation to the environment. Such adaptation to the environment and efficient functioning therein is the very essence of a useful education."
Success in school is directly tied to the degree to which children believe they are capable and independent human beings. Independence does not come automatically, it must be learned. In Montessori, children soon learn that caring for themselves and their environment brings mastery over themselves and a sense of pride that leads to healthy self esteem. | 
