Why are Montessori Materials Made of Natural Materials

This video lesson is designed for parents to learn more about Montessori education. It highlights why Montessori materials are made up of natural materials and how it helps in the overall learning environment.

The first thing we notice when entering a Montessori classroom is the neatly organized materials. Brightly colored walls, posters, and plastic materials are unlikely to be encountered. Instead, we will see a variety of wooden, glass, and metal materials, sturdy child-sized furniture, house plants, and naturally colored walls decorated. Ever wondered why the interiors of a Montessori environment look stunning yet straightforward?

A Montessori classroom is a holistic environment that serves and addresses the needs of every child. The materials a child encounters in their classroom help them become independent and responsible. It helps them build complex ideas upon simpler ones.

Maria Montessori insisted children benefit most from an environment that is as closely rooted in nature and reality as possible. The materials help in simple and thoughtful teaching methods; the uncluttered classrooms reflect a peaceful and serene atmosphere that invites learning. It also helps the children to take care of the environment. 

Why Montessori Materials are made of Natural Materials?

Let us understand why Montessori materials are made of eco-friendly natural materials.

  1. Naturally sourced materials promote sensorial exploration: Montessori materials are made up of natural materials such as brass, wood, wicker, cotton, metal, and glass. These materials allow children to classify, compare, and order them using their five senses. Therefore, provide a multi-sensorial experience for the child.
  2. The relation of nature and the child: Using natural materials that come from nature encourages the child to remain connected to the earth and the environment. It helps them to understand their responsibility to keep the environment sustainable for other living beings.
  3. The durability of Montessori materials: Plastics fade or break easily, but materials made of wood or metal are durable, classic, and enduring. These materials can be used for many years with no fear of damage.
  4. Materials made from natural resources are good for the environment: The Montessori curriculum emphasizes the importance of taking care of the environment. Since Montessori materials comprise natural materials, they can be recycled, re-purposed, or will biodegrade. 
  5. Montessori materials are simple and appealing: The use of simple and natural materials creates opportunities for open-ended exploration. Thus, helping children to make their own discoveries, test hypotheses, learn new skills, and promote independence.

Overall, Montessori materials are pleasant, attractive, safe, and durable that enhance every child’s exploration experience.

Watch the video to learn more about why Montessori materials are made up of real and natural materials.

Related Resources

To watch more parenting videos, click here.

Video created by Aishwarya | I teach I learn

This video has been added and used with the author’s permission. It is also available on the author’s YouTube, here.

FAQs

  • What are Montessori materials made of?

Montessori materials are made up of natural materials such as brass, wood, wicker, cotton, metal, and glass. 

  • Why are Montessori materials not colorful?

Using too many colors overstimulates and distracts the child. The Montessori method uses natural materials to keep it real. In this way, the child can recognize it when seen in person while simultaneously building one skill at a time.

  • What wood is used in creating Montessori materials?

Montessori materials are intended for repetition and deep exploration. Therefore, they are made from Birchwood as it is hard and fine-grained allowing them to withstand a lot of play.

  • Why does Montessori use real materials?

Dr. Montessori emphasizes the use of real materials in the classroom, as the child’s imagination is their natural inclination. It stems from what is real, and how it looks like, thus stimulating children’s imagination and understanding of the real world.

 

Tags

  • English
  • parents education
  • parents guide
  • primary