Upon arrival, children say goodbye to their parents at the car, walk independently into the school, put up their belongings, change into indoor shoes and confidently enter the classroom. The teacher takes this opportunity to greet the child eye-to-eye and say good morning.  

Next the children typically go to “work.” Work takes place throughout the room: at tables, on small rugs or throughout the classroom. Students are free to move respectfully around the environment. Choosing work consists of self-initiated repetition or exploration of materials that they have been given a lesson on from the teacher. 

The goal is to have an uninterrupted work cycle, followed by a group line time/circle time, outside play, lunch, rest for younger children or extended work time for older children.

Take a peek inside a Montessori classroom here.