Many parents, when first entering the Montessori environment, are amazed by the wide array of activity - how are all these children working on different things at the same time!
Observing a classroom is a bit like going to the symphony: There is a rise and fall of noise level and activity, and although things may seem chaotic at times, everyone is just where he or she needs to be.
Here are some hints on what to look out for:
The Visual Perspective
There is more to the Montessori classroom than the activities of just one child. For most parents, your tendency may be to focus in on your own child's activities. You may be attracted to one child or a group of the oldest or youngest children. Try to view both the entire classroom for a while and then focus in on one particular child.
The Auditory Perspective
Listen to the noise level as it rises and falls. Try to see what sounds are coming from which groups of children. You will hear the normal hum of children working together, the quiet of concentration, and at times a spike in noise at the excitement of a discovery.
The Social Perspective
The Montessori classroom contains a range of ages and materials that are appropriate to the different developmental levels. Note how the children go to the materials that are appropriate to their developmental level. Note also how the younger children absorb the older children's work simply by being near them, and how, conversely, the older children may assist the younger ones with work that they have already mastered. There are always pockets of social activity occurring in any Montessori classroom as the child's natural desire to form relationships and be part of an ongoing community is ever present.
How Children Learn
Children learn in many different ways. There are auditory, visual, active, and passive learners in our classroom. Some children may be working alone and some in groups. Others may be strolling through the classroom seemingly not engaged. This last type of child is sometimes the most fun to observe, as he or she is engaged in actively absorbing information through observation! Try to alternate your focus and note the excitement, focus, and joy with which the children work. And above all, have fun!