The prepared environment
A shelf is
an invitation to work.
Look at the materials, the workspace, and the way each piece of work fits into the room.
The prepared environment
Take something
off the shelf.
Look a little closer.
Choose an area to see the work and the details you can notice when you visit.
Practical Life
A task a child can take from start to finish.
A tray keeps the things needed for a piece of work together. Pouring, folding, and caring for the room are part of everyday classroom life.
Can children reach the materials, carry them to a workspace, and return them when finished?
Inside the environment
Practical Life
Everyday tasks belong in the classroom. A tray, a small pitcher, or a folded cloth can give a child a clear piece of work to carry, use, and return.
See the environment on a visit
Inside the environment
Language
Books, spoken language, and materials such as movable letters bring different ways to explore language into the room. Ask how the guide introduces the work and follows a child’s questions.
See the environment on a visitInside the environment
Mathematics
Concrete materials give children something to arrange, compare, and count. Notice how a quantity can be handled before the work moves toward written symbols.
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Inside the environment
Garden
The garden gives the school another place for observation and useful work. Watering, noticing a plant’s change, and caring for tools connect with the routines inside.
See the environment on a visit