The Prepared Environment, Montessori Method and Brain Development

By: Rigel Whytsell

Having a prepared environment for children may be more necessary than previously thought. Recent research now suggests that in order for children to have the optimal opportunity to reach their full potential that they need an environment specifically tailored to their developmental needs. The environment should stimulate the children emotionally, socially, cognitively, and physically as well as provide a rich sensory experience. This was Maria Montessori’s vision of a space that meets the needs of the child and coincidentally promotes brain development.

Marian Diamond and her colleagues at the University of California at Berkeley pioneered research showing that the structures of the brain are modified by one’s environment (Diamond & Hopson, 1998). Her research is the foundation for the concept of neural plasticity—the brain's ability to change its structure and respond to external experiences. According to Diamond and Hopson, the best environment is one that “includes a steady source of environmental support, nutritious diet, stimulates all senses, atmosphere free from stress and enjoyable, challenging, allows social interaction, promotes development, and gives the child a chance to assess the results of their actions, all in all allows the child to be an active participant rather than a passive observer”. After years of observation in the classroom, Paula Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen stated “In order to achieve this full potential a human being needs interaction with the immediate environment and sensorial awareness. This is evident with the child’s growing independence, coordinated movements, language and developed will” (Lillard and Jensen, 2003). So it is necessary, in order to afford children the best opportunity to thrive, to have a prepared environment that meets these needs.

This description, founded on research is congruent with the Montessori Philosophy of the Prepared Environment. Montessori believed that children are given the best chance to learn when they are free to move about the classroom, choose activities or “work” that interests them and have the option of working with their peers. She also believes that the materials used in the classroom should have a built in “control of error”, meaning that it should be obvious to the child when the activity is done incorrectly, rather than the child being dependent on the adult for confirmation. She also believed in offering the children a rich sensory experience and even dedicated an entire part of the curriculum to refining all five senses.

It is clear then that the Montessori Philosophy and current research point to the same type of prepared and stimulating environment, but how does this promote brain development? Since the Montessori Method promotes movement in the classroom, then a classroom where children are free to move about is one that promotes brain development. Neurophysiologist Carla Hannaford explains “Movement is now realized to be helpful and even essential for increasing learning, develop creative thought and a high level of reasoning.” Dr. Judy Herr, professor of early childhood at the University of Wisconsin - Stout points out that it is also known and accepted that “a wide variety of visual, auditory, and sensory experiences will help promote brain connections,” and therefore having sensorial activities and materials in a classroom is ideal for promoting brain development.


It should be clear then that a properly prepared environment such as the ones found in a Montessori classroom is advantageous for proper children’s brain development. The science is clear, children require a prepared environment that is rich in sensory experiences, offers movement and is appealing to the child.

Fill the Chair

"Fill the Chair!" is a campaign to grow Montessori awareness by inviting parents, relatives, neighbors, senators, congressmen, county officials, doctors, teachers, yard guy, pool guy, cable guy, business owners, college students, bloggers, military men and women, architects, truck drivers, aviators, athletes, the President (yes, we actually extended an invitation to the President) to see an authentic Montessori classroom in action.

We hope you will join us in our effort by inviting someone you know to spend 20 minutes observing a Montessori learning environment.

The Boyd School is proud to participate in this project with schools throughout the country in an effort to bring awareness to the Montessori method of education.

Montessori Education Week

February 26 - March 3

It has been 104 years since Dr. Maria Montessori first introduced her approach to education. Her methodology has helped provide countless children with a solid academic foundation and guided them towards to lifetime love for knowledge.

Anyone who has spent time around a Montessori learning environment has witnessed the shear joy that children exhibit when they discover a new concept or complete a task purely on their own. Just last week as I was taking some photographs of children during their extended work period, I heard a cry of "I did it!" As I turned to see what caused this shout of joy, a primary student was standing by himself with his arms held high, grinning from ear to ear at his accomplishment. There was no adult working with him, no gold star on his paper, just a child thrilled with his own success. Talk about a love for learning...

During the same work period, I observed a young girl carefully at work with practical life materials. As she finished her work, she neatly placed the materials back on the shelf and began her next task - cleaning the windows of the door to the playground. I watched as she sprayed the windows, put down the spray bottle and wiped every drop off of the window (and even the couple of drops that accidentally spilled onto the floor). Her attention and focus on her task were absolutely amazing. She displayed such a deep care for the appearance of her classroom, her environment.

We always enjoy hearing your Montessori stories, but this week especially we ask that you take a moment to share a story as part of our celebration of Montessori Education Week. We encourage you to post your experiences in the comments section here.

Why Montessori?

A short introduction video we put together on the undeniable link between creativity and Montessori education.