Dr. Maria Montessori
Dr. Maria Montessori was, in many ways, ahead of her time. Born in the town of Chiaravalle, in the province of Ancona, Italy, in 1870 she was an active advocate for the rights of the child. After becoming Italy's first woman doctor, her interests turned to the education of the children and she began her lifelong pursuit of studying child development. In her medical practice, her clinical observations led her to analyze how children learn, and she concluded that they build themselves from what they find in their environment. Her desire to help children was so strong that in 1906 she gave up both her university chair and her medical practice to work with a group of sixty young children of working parents in the San Lorenzo district of Rome. It was there that she founded the first Casa dei Bambini, or "Children's House."
What ultimately became the Montessori method of education developed there, based upon Montessori's scientific observations of these children's almost effortless ability to absorb knowledge from their surroundings, as well as their tireless interest in manipulating materials. Every piece of equipment, every exercise, every method Montessori developed was based on what she observed children to do "naturally," by themselves, unassisted by adults.
Dr. Montessori was nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to education and advocacy of the rights of the child. Dr. Montessori believed that a truly educated individual continues learning long after the years spent in the classroom because of the inner motivation, a natural curiosity and a love of learning. The aim of the Montessori philosophy is to provide a learning environment that enhances the development of intellectually reflective individuals who are caring and ethical members of the community.
Dr. Maria Montessori died in Noordwijk, Holland, in 1952, but her work lives on through the Association Montessori Internationale, the organization she founded in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 1929. Books written by Maria Montessori include: "The Absorbent Mind" and "The Formation of Man".
What Makes Montessori Education Unique
The whole child approach - The primary goal of a Montessori program is to help each child reach their full potential in all areas of life. Activities promote the development of social skills, emotional growth, and physical coordination as well as cognitive preparation for future intellectual academic endeavors. The holistic curriculum, under the direction of a specifically prepared teacher, allows the child to experience the joy of learning, the time to enjoy the process, and ensures the development of self esteem. It provides the experiences from which children create their knowledge.
The Prepared environment - In order for self directed learning to take place, the whole learning environment - classroom, materials, and social setting / atmosphere - must be supportive of the child. The teacher provides the necessary resources, including opportunities for children to function in a safe and positive environment. Together, the teacher and child form a relationship based on trust and respect that fosters self confidence and a willingness to try new things.
The Montessori materials - Dr. Montessori's observations of the kinds of things which children enjoy, and go back to repeatedly, led her to design a number of multi-sensory, sequential, and self correcting materials to facilitate learning.