Dr. Maria Montessori
"Early childhood education is the key to the betterment of society".
​​​Dr. Maria Montessori
Dr. Maria Montessori was born in Italy. With a background in Mathematics, Engineering, Biology and Anthropology. She opened a small school in Rome, Italy in 1907.
Dr. Montessori developed her method of education by observing the developmental needs of the children and by meeting these needs through concrete learning experiences.
She opened many Montessori schools in India and in 1916, traveled to America to give teacher training courses. Dr. Montessori continued her research on the development of children 2 1/2 to 6 years of age, including new born and adolescent children. She died in 1952.
Today, new research suggests that children who attend Montessori schools may have an edge over other children in terms of both academic and social development.
Maria Montessori: The Method
Maria Montessori developed a scientific approach to facilitate learning and to encourage the development of a well-rounded person.
Her approach was to create a "Prepared Environment" which allows the child to have freedom to select activities from a "smorgasbord" of attractive, hands-on learning materials.
Her method succeeds because it draws its principle from the natural development of the child.
Montessori Promotes:
​Order, beauty, cleanliness
Consideration for others
Independence
Freedom of choice
Concentration
Children's right to dignity
​Hands-on materials
Mixed age groups
​Freedom of movement & Learning
One-on-one teaching
Teacher warmth and sensitivity
Sensitive periods for learning
​Self- discipline through activity
