from the size of the chairs to the height of the ceilings, each component of the Montessori classroom is ideally designed to create a "children's house," complete with everything a child needs for their independence at a scale appropriate for the child.

The Montessori materials are designed to allow independent exploration of complicated concepts. Because the materials are so carefully designed to match what we understand about children's development, the concepts included often surpass the content we typically expect of young children. High-quality, beautiful materials entice the child to explore challenging concepts in ways that reflect specific qualities of children's growth.

the multi-age classroom allows children to learn from each other, to explore a variety of social roles in authentic ways, and to cycle through periods of extraordinary growth and reassuring rest. Children are learners and teachers, leaders and followers, sometimes engaged in independent work and sometimes engaged in work with other children. By the end of the three years, the child's confidence, self-efficacy, and ability to collaborate with others reflects these invaluable experiences as part of a reliable community.

the Montessori teacher's role differs from the traditional teacher. Montessori teachers are expected to act as scientist in the classroom, carefully observing each child's development to prepare an environment which his specifically responsive to the needs of the children it serves. Montessori teachers facilitate children's curiosity by matching individual lessons to individual children.

Children choose the materials of interest to them and are introduced to new materials in the classroom when they are developmentally appropriate for the child. The teacher's role is especially important: the teacher must observe children carefully to determine subtle cues that indicate a child's readiness for differing work and must document each child's development to assure steady and balanced development.