Maria Montessori
 The
founder of Montessori Education
The Montessori
method of teaching young children was
developed by an Italian educator and
physician, Maria Montessori. She was
born in 1870 in Italy, and was the first
woman to receive a medical degree.
She later joined
the medical staff at the university's
psychiatric clinic. She discovered and
proved that these children were capable
not only of passing the required school
examinations, but also of taking care of
themselves and their environment.
Later, Montessori
began to think that her methods would
prove even more effective with students
of normal intelligence. She opened the
first Montessori school, called the Casa
dei Bambini (Children's House), in 1907.
The school was located in the worst slum
district of Rome and the class consisted
of fifty children between two and five
years old. Montessori soon discovered
that the elder children took a pride in
taking care of their school. They
enjoyed helping with the younger ones
and they wanted to learn.
Her school
received overnight acclaim;
conservatives appreciated the calm
respectable behavior of the little
children, along with their love for
work. Liberals applauded the freedom and
spontaneity.
Today, nearly 100
years later, her schools continue to
thrive and expand, a tribute to her
inspirational insight, which has helped
change the course of childhood
education.
The International Montessori Council
has more details
on the life and work of this remarkable
woman.
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