The 3-Hour Work Cycle

"Freedom in intellectual work is found to be the basis of internal discipline." 

-Maria Montessori

The three-hour work cycle is synonymous with Montessori education. The three-hour work cycle is a gift given to the child where they can select works of their own choosing, attend lessons given by their Guide, ask for refreshers, and work with peers. The child has unprecedented time to process and internalize the material. In a traditional classroom, it is the teacher who sets the pace for the day. In a traditional classroom, the subject and coursework is decided before the child even arrives at school, and is dictated, not discussed or left open. In a Montessori classroom, the three-hour work cycle is preserved for the child to have the freedom to choose the work that speaks to them on a given day. So instead of spelling at 9 a.m. and math at 9:45 a.m., maybe the child comes to school wanting to work on multiplication tables, or an Asia map, or a set of zoology cards on a mat- and they can do just that! The child can make this decision for themselves. A three-hour work cycle allows for deep concentration and focus to take place. When one is constantly interrupted mid-problem or mid- sentence, it can be frustrating to a young learner. In the Montessori classroom this is far less likely to occur. Within a system that offers a three-hour work cycle, the child is deeply motivated and learns decision-making, responsibility, and independence. A three-hour work cycle is similar to a work setting adults are familiar with where we come to work and choose what project to work on first, or save until later. In the three-hour work cycle, the child takes the lead and the Guide follows.