The Children's House
(Ages 3-6)
The Children's House, also known as the Casa Dei Bambini, is the Montessori environment for children typically aged 2 1/2 to 6 years old. It is a carefully prepared setting designed to meet the development of young children through independence, exploration, and purposeful activity.
The Environment
The Children's House is child-sized, orderly, and a beautiful space filled with hands-on materials that invite exploration. Everything has a purpose and place. Shelves are low, materials are accessible, and the design encourages independence.
Mixed Ages
Children of mixed ages (usually 3-6) learn together. Younger children learn by observing the older ones, while older children reinforce their understanding by helping their younger peers. This creates a natural sense of cooperation, patience, and leadership, not competition.
Materials and Learning Areas
The Montessori materials are hands-on, self-correcting, and sequenced from simple to complex. They are organized into key curriculum areas:
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Practical Life: Everyday activities like pouring, sweeping, buttoning, and food preparation develop coordination, focus, and independence.
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Sensorial: Materials that refine the senses—size, shape, color, sound, texture, weight—build the foundation for later math and language learning.
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Language: Children move from oral language development to sandpaper letters, phonetic reading, and creative writing.
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Mathematics: Concrete materials (like number rods and golden beads) introduce quantity, number symbols, and operations before abstraction.
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Culture: Geography, science, art, and music materials connect children to the wider world.
Grace and Courtesy
Children learn social skills, respect, and peaceful conflict resolution through lessons in grace and courtesy - such as how to greet someone, interrupt politely, or offer help. These lessons help support a calm, respectful community atmosphere.
The Montessori Guide
The adult is called a guide, not a teacher, because their role is to observe, prepare, and connect the child to materials when they’re ready. Rather than directing all activity, the guide fosters independence and curiosity—helping each child follow their natural developmental path.
Outcomes
Through freedom within limits, the Montessori Children’s House nurtures:
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Independence and confidence
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Concentration and intrinsic motivation
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Care for self, others, and the environment
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A love of learning that lasts a lifetime