I have heard that children in Montessori classrooms are free to do whatever they want. However, I have also heard that a Montessori classroom is very structured. Why are there such differing opinions about a Montessori environment?

The environment of a Montessori classroom is designed by the teacher for the particular group of children. There are designated areas of the classroom with specific materials and activities, and everything has a precise place. The children internalize the order of the classroom, and it helps them to become comfortable in this setting.

Because of this, the Montessori classroom itself is structured. However, the children are not. Although there are certain ground rules and expectations of behavior, they are free to choose the activities that interest them, as long as they have been presented to them. In this way, the children have the flexibility to work on an activity that interests them, put it away, and choose something else according to the child’s own time frame. This freedom of choice helps the child to direct his or her own learning, learn to make constructive choices and develop independence.