A Look Inside The Montessori Classroom

Have you ever wondered what it looks like inside a Montessori classroom?.....



Our Toddler room is structured to support their innate desire to do things independently, helping them build confidence and a sense of competence. In this carefully curated environment, children engage in self-directed learning, observe their peers, explore their surroundings, and express their natural curiosity and creativity. A dedicated self-care area promotes independence in hygiene practices such as washing hands and learning to wipe their noses. Additionally, a gross motor area supports physical coordination, while low tables enable children to take part in food preparation, serving, eating, and cleaning up their meals.

The Preschool classroom (or as we like to call it, our "Casa") feels more like a home than a conventional school. Instead of desks lined in rows or a teacher standing at the front delivering lessons, you’ll find children engaged in activities either individually or in small groups. They may be working at tables or sitting on the floor, with small mats delineating their personal workspaces.



Respect for each child's independence and individuality is the cornerstone of the Montessori classroom community. Caregivers maintain a calm, patient, and soft-spoken demeanor, fostering trust and emotional security. They demonstrate kindness and respect by maintaining eye contact, kneeling to the child's level, addressing them by name, and always announcing their intentions before touching or guiding them. This nurturing approach creates a peaceful and emotionally safe space for children to learn and grow. By providing a structured yet flexible environment that respects each child's natural development, Eden Prairie Montessori classrooms cultivate a love for learning, self-sufficiency, and a deep sense of respect for oneself and others.

Classroom features and furnishings~ 

A carefully prepared Montessori classroom facilitates independent learning and exploration. Every item in a Montessori school is deliberately chosen to maximize learning opportunities, while maintaining an inviting, relaxing and nurturing environment. Here are some of the important features you will find in a Montessori classroom...

Natural Wood Furnishings~
Instead of the colourful, painted or plastic furnishings of a typical preschool classroom, a Montessori school commonly chooses natural materials such as wood for classroom furniture. Child-sized wood furniture is favoured for its durability and safety, free from the harmful chemicals of plastic. Baskets and bins in a Montessori school are also often made of natural materials like wicker and metal. These natural materials are favoured for the multi-sensorial experiences they provide. 

Simple Wall Decor~
A Montessori school preschool classroom should be designed to be relaxing and calming, not distracting or overly stimulating. For this reason, wall decor is minimal and any decorations are intentionally selected to be inspiring, simple, and serve a purpose. 

Intentional Lighting~
The lighting in a Montessori school classroom environment is designed to enhance learning. Instead of harsh fluorescent overhead lighting that can create both visual and auditory tension, a Montessori school would typically opt for natural lighting, and softer indoor lighting similar to what a child would experience at home. 

Organization~
Organization is key to learning and self-development. It imparts a sense of predictability in the classroom, helping students feel at ease and understand expectations. Good organization also facilitates the freedom to move around the classroom; an important part of a Montessori education.



Thoughtfully Designed Learning Materials~

One of the key elements that sets a Montessori school apart from a typical preschool program, in addition to the prepared environment, is its thoughtfully designed learning materials. Traditional preschool classrooms may be filled with plastic toys and lots of brightly coloured decorations, but a preschool classroom in a Montessori school is purposefully designed with a clean and minimalist aesthetic to promote a more holistic approach to learning. The Montessori room is an inviting environment with specifically designed tools which allow children to grow and flourish.

Displayed on open shelves, these materials are easily accessible to children, encouraging them to develop concentration, problem-solving abilities, and a sense of accomplishment. Children choose the materials that interest them, engage with them for as long as they wish, clean up afterward, and then move on to another task.



Montessori classrooms also incorporate features designed for independence, such as low sinks, child-sized furniture, cozy reading nooks, and reachable shelves stocked with work options. Child-sized kitchen tools allow children to prepare, serve, and clean up their snacks on their own, further fostering autonomy. To support both gross and fine motor skills, classrooms include age-appropriate equipment such as low ladders with railings for toddlers learning to walk. The use of child-sized furniture, utensils, and tools enables young learners to make independent choices, complete tasks, and build self-confidence, concentration, and critical thinking skills.

Thoughtfully designed furniture supports early independence. Features such as pull-up bars, mirrors for self-exploration, and sleeping areas with individual floor beds or mats create an environment where babies can explore safely. Rather than using high chairs, child-sized tables and chairs are provided for toddlers, allowing for natural movement and interaction. Sleeping arrangements may consist of individual floor beds or mats. This setup allows toddlers to prepare for rest independently and get up on their own once they feel ready, reinforcing their growing autonomy.

Montessori materials are not just visually appealing but also highly effective in fostering independent learning. Each material is designed to teach a single concept at a time, allowing children to work at their own pace and master skills without external intervention. Additionally, these materials are self-correcting—meaning children can recognize and correct their own mistakes. For instance, if a child stacks a larger block on top of a tower of smaller blocks, the structure will collapse. This immediate feedback encourages critical thinking and self-reliance, empowering children to become their own teachers—a skill that serves them well throughout life.

At Eden Prairie Montessori, we’ve been setting a standard of excellence in Montessori education for over 20 years. To date, we’ve influenced the lives of hundreds of families to inspire a life-long love of learning while cultivating independence, respect, and responsibility in each student. We welcome the opportunity to do the same for your family.

If you would like to visit Eden Prairie Montessori and see our classrooms in person, we invite you to visit us!



Call us to schedule a tour at one of our two locations~ 

NORTH - 7455 Market Place Drive
952-944-8466

SOUTH - 8098 Glen Lane
952-941-2971