Dr. Montessori discovered that children have an inherent drive for independence and that their physical, mental, and emotional development is linked to purposeful movement. She observed that even very young children have exceptional powers of concentration. Most importantly, she noted that children learn in a manner that is unique to this age - the very young child unconsciously absorbs his environment. She concluded that adults do not teach children - children teach themselves . A Montessori classroom is a multi-age setting in which children learn from each other and because of each other.
Older children reinforce their knowledge as they share it with younger children.
Everyone learns to take responsibility for themselves, the group, and the environment. Montessori staff prepare a beautiful, rich and ordered environment so that each child will feel safe, secure, challenged, and respected. When the child first becomes intensely absorbed in his work, he has taken the initial step toward genuine self-discipline. Our job, as educators, is to assist this process. The Montessori teacher is often described as the spark that links each child to the environment.