Montessori materials are ingenious hands-on learning tools that are designed to stimulate children’s minds, encourage exploration, and inspire independent learning. They are enticing, simple to use, and intentionally support children’s learning and development. Together, the Montessori materials come together to form the Montessori Curriculum.
Montessori materials teach only one skill at a time to provide children with the opportunity to master key learning outcomes through repetition and practice. Doctor Montessori stated: “Nothing goes into the mind that does not first go through the hands.”
Children are first introduced to the Montessori materials by a trained educator, who will present a Key Lesson, and then invite the child to work with the material independently. When they have finished working with the activity, the children return each material to its allocated place in the prepared environment.
The Montessori materials are presented to the child in sequence, from easiest to hardest, and in accordance with their developmental needs and interests. This clear structure provides a logical and ordered progression for learning, which in turn, promotes the gradual layering of knowledge.