On Reddit, a mother revealed that she had just learned that her son's preschool does not turn on the lights so the kids can play during the day. "My four-year-old attends a Montessori school where the lights are turned off. Their class is the only one of six that does this," she said.

A Montessori method is an educational approach characterised by learner choice, an enriching environment and educators who facilitate the learner’s natural bent for learning. It was devised during the 1900s by Dr Maria Montessori, a physician, anthropologist and pedagogue over a professional career that spanned over fifty years. Here are some characteristics of an activity that makes it Montessori.

In early childhood education, the most powerful learning often happens through the simplest tasks. Practical Life activities—those everyday routines like pouring water, buttoning a shirt, or sweeping the floor—are more than just chores. They are foundational experiences that nurture independence, concentration, and confidence in young learners.