The Prepared Environment

In Montessori, a prepared environment means planning ahead to anticipate the needs of the child so that when the child begins work, they are successful. Here are some suggestions to establish a workspace at home in preparation for distanced learning:

Define the Workspace

• Select an area with limited distractions. For younger children, it is suggested that if you have an office or workspace at home, set up your child’s workspace in the same area. The workspace will not be successful if a child feels isolated from you. You have a great opportunity to role model during this time to your child how to work.  
• For hands-on work, keep a small rug or bath towel in the workspace to define a work area on the floor. Materials should be kept within this area when your child works. A child should be able to roll or fold the rug/towel and have a consistent place to put it.
• Designate a small table or breakfast tray that can be used as a hard surface for writing or other fine motor tasks.
• Set up materials such as printer paper, construction paper, child-safe scissors, glue stick, glue bottle, color pencils, crayons, markers and watercolors. These materials should be accessible for your child so that he or she is not asking you for help and can be independent.
• Utilize containers or organizers on a shelf, a table, or in a cabinet so that your child has a consistent place for each item.

Set Expectations

• Establish and communicate the daily routine and stay consistent.
• Communicate the expectation, that just like at school, your child is responsible for cleaning up each work/activity before choosing another.
• School supplies are only for school works/activities. For example, writing/coloring materials are only to be used on paper, items like glue and scissors should be kept away from younger children.