Question 2: What are the main requirements to be considered to start a House of

Children? How do you implement them?

A Montessori is a place where children can thrive as individuals physically, emotionally

and academically, which can only happen if their needs are met and interests are
regarded in an environment of learning. These can be categorised into the following
requirements:

1. Multi-age classrooms; the younger children can benefit from their older peers by
learning academically from them as well as in terms of engaging socially in a
hierarchal environment, i.e. with mentors/teachers and fellow students/peers. The
older kids on the other hand can develop their leadership skills in their role as
mentors for their younger counterparts while simultaneously reinforcing their own
learning as they help the younger kids gain skills.
2. The classroom size should not exceed 30 pupils so as to allow ample individual
attention and avoid overcrowding.
3. The layout and design of the classroom including the furniture and shelving should be
child friendly, such that everything is within the reach of the kids and not unsafe
or uncomfortable for them, for e.g. low shelves for accessibility, smaller and
lighter furniture etc.
4. The role of the teacher must be that of a guide and helper, and not that of a distant
lecturer. They should design activities for the students that can contribute in their
learning process and be there to assist and support them as and when needed
during the course of these exercises.
5. Children should be given a significant degree of independence in the relatively risk-free
montessori environment so that they are free to choose what interests them,
make mistakes in the way, and subsequently learn and grow from them at their
own pace. This sense of freedom and responsibility empowers them to develop
into creative and independent adults.
6. The classroom should allow easy access to outdoors and have ample sunlight and
ventilation for the mental and physical well-being of students.
7. The environment should be family and home oriented instead of following strict
standardised setup of a conventional classroom.
8. Children must be taught to have mutual respect for their peers. This can be achieved
by encouraging them to collaborate and cooperate with one another rather than
being pit against each other as competitors.
9. Parents should be actively involved in the progress of their children by way of regular
meetings with their teachers so that they may accordingly groom their child
outside of the classroom environment as well.