Materials: If a child is given a lesson on a particular work then the child is free to work with these materials. This can include creating variations or extensions with the lesson. An extension is using anything outside of the given work to add an extra element. For example, if a child is working with The World (Continent) Map and knows all the names of each continent then the child is free to recreate the map using paper, colored pencils, glue and etc. This can feed the need of a child who might require an artistic approach to a Geography lesson. A variation is working with the materials in a different way while still reaching the direct aim of the lesson. If a child is working with The Red Rods and has mastered the concept of size gradation then the child is free to make a maze with the rods using the shortest one first and ending with the longest one. The maze might turn into a treasure map where the middle is where all the gold is hidden! 

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Child: Children who are comfortable in their environment will most likely engage in fantasy play. This is fully supported in a Montessori environment! It is important for the adult not to interrupt a child's concentration, even if it is fantasy based. Children can make up games and play them out with their classmates. This child driven activity allows the child to make up a scenario (creativity), decide on rules/guidleines (critical thinking), explain the rules to peers (being a teacher/leader, building confidence) and execute the plan (problem solving skills).