(should be Montessori! sorry!!)
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A "prepared enviroment" in a Montessori
program features which?
1. child-size furniture and equipment
2. the accomplishment of one task before
another is started.
3. a garden area where the children can
plant flowers
4. college-educated teachers who assist
the children in every task.
I am debating between 1 or 2,I don't
know which is the correct answer.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
Montesorri is based on being as unstructured as possible. Therefore, 2 and 4 don't make sense. Your choice is between 1 and 3.
This webpage is excellent for helping you determine which answer you think is correct:
http://www.montessori.edu/prod.html
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In the context of Montessori, "prepared environment" means what the child needs is there, ready to be used for a learning experience. If making papermache sculptures were the order, then the child would enter with all materials at hand, and samples of the finished and in task sculptures would be at hand.
Montessori is not as unstructured as possible. Who in the world gave you that idea?
I would lean more towards #1. The child size furnature and equipment.
#2 is not part of the environment
#3 is part of a prepared environment, but is not a NECESSARY part. It's more of an extention of the environment.
#4 is not Montessori at all. The teacher is supposed to be withdrawn as much as possible from the child's activities.
Matt
I'm sorry for any confusion caused. Montessori education is indeed structured, but it emphasizes independence, self-directed learning, and hands-on experiences. Prepared environment refers to the carefully designed physical and social environment that supports the child's development and learning.
In Montessori education, the prepared environment includes child-sized furniture and equipment (option 1). This allows the child to independently access materials and engage in activities comfortably. The furniture and equipment are specifically designed to suit the child's size and needs, promoting independence and enabling them to engage in various activities.
The prepared environment also provides a variety of learning materials and activities that are organized and arranged in an orderly and accessible manner, promoting the accomplishment of one task before another is started (option 2). This orderliness helps the child develop focus, concentration, and a sense of completion.
Option 3, having a garden area where children can plant flowers, can also be a part of the prepared environment. Montessori education emphasizes connecting children with nature and providing hands-on experiences. Having a garden area allows children to engage in activities like planting, observing growth, and caring for plants, fostering a sense of responsibility and connection with the natural world.
Option 4 is not a characteristic of the Montessori approach. Montessori teachers are trained to observe and guide children's learning rather than constantly assisting or directing their activities. The teacher's role is to create a supportive and nurturing environment and provide guidance when necessary, but they promote independence and self-directed learning in the child.
To summarize, while option 3 (a garden area) can be a part of the prepared environment, the primary characteristic is child-sized furniture and equipment (option 1), which promotes independence and access to learning materials. So, in this case, the correct answer would be option 1.