Montessori Myths Parents sometimes see the Montessori concept of work as play as overly structured. The activities in the classroom are referred to as work and the children are directed to choose their work. However, the children’s work is very satisfying to them and they make no distinction between work and play. Children almost always find Montessori activities both interesting and fun. Each Montessori classroom is lined with low shelves filled with materials. The teacher, or guide, shows the children how to use the materials by giving individual lessons. The child is shown a specific way to use the materials but is allowed to explore them by using them in a variety of ways with the only limitations being that materials may not be abused or used to harm others. For example, the Red Rods, which are a set of ten painted, wooden rods up to a meter long and about an inch thick, are designed to help the children learn to perceive length in ten centimeter increments. The Red Rods aren’t to be used as Jedi light sabers. Obviously, sword fights with the Red Rods are a danger to other children as well as damaging to the rods, which cost over $200.00 a set. In cases where materials are being abused or used in a way that may hurt others, the child is stopped and gently and kindly redirected to other work. Unfortunately, some parents see this limitation on the use of the material as “too structured” since it may not allow for fantasy play.
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