“A child’s work is to create the man he will become.  An adult works to perfect the environment but a child works to perfect himself.”  Dr. Maria Montessori

Ask a three-year old shoveling sand at the beach whether you can help her, and she is most likely going to tell you “No, I want to do it by myself!”  Now ask the same question of an adult shoveling sand next to her, and he will surely take you up on your offer!  Adults and children use their environment for different means. Adults are goal-oriented and use their environment to achieve their goals as easily and efficiently as possible; young children, on the other hand, use their environment to construct themselves.  Each new human being, from conception to maturity, forms themselves by taking nourishment (literal and figurative) from their environment: the womb, the home, the school, the community. Modern research estimates that about 50% of our brain development is genetic (i.e. nature) and 50% environmental, a function of how that genetic potential is used or not used (i.e. nurture). 

Dr. Montessori was one of the first educators to fully understand the importance of a quality learning and living environment for young children.  She called it “The Prepared Environment.”  Providing children with an appropriate environment is of all the more importance during the first six years of life, as they have an almost limitless capacity for “taking in” the whole of their surroundings.  At this age, they are gifted with an “Absorbent Mind”: they have the ability to soak up knowledge from their environment and teach themselves.

The importance of experience on brain development is significant and can put a lot of pressure on parents to do the right things – as well as instill a fear of not doing the right things.  And marketers and manufacturers surely know how to play on these worries.  Nowadays, parents are overwhelmed with advertisements for things they “need” for their child.  Most of these ads are aimed solely at selling; in truth, many advertised products are actually detrimental to development. 

A Montessori Home Environment is surprisingly different from what is commonly marketed.  It is economical, safe, uncluttered and answers children’s need to do things by themselves.  It provides calm, love and security, and fosters the child’s physical, mental, emotional, social and moral development.  Indeed, what is fundamental in preparing a home environment is the attitude of respect we communicate for the child and for ourselves.  By respecting both the needs of adults and children, the Montessori Home Environment promotes a harmonious relationship within the whole family.