Who was Maria Montessori?

Maria Montessori was an Italian physician, educator, and innovator, acclaimed for her educational method that builds on the way children learn naturally.

In 1907, Dr. Montessori opened casa dei bambini (children’s house) where she began trials in educating disadvantaged children in Rome.

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Montessori found from observation that children have sensitive periods between ages 3 to 6 years during which time they are primed to learn reading, writing, and arithmetic. Montessori emphasized learning through all five senses and developed hands-on, self-correcting materials. She refined her materials and methods and applied them to children of other cultures for over 50 years.

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Montessori classrooms are different from traditional public schools and daycares in that children are placed in three-year age groups (3-6 years, 6-9 years, and 9-12 years).

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Dr. Montessori found from her studies that older children act as peer examples and teachers for the younger children. Montessori classrooms have evolved to engage the child for learning. Instead of a teacher lecturing in front of the class, the Montessori educator demonstrates for the child the proper use of the classroom material and allows the child to learn at his or her most optimal pace thereafter.

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Recent comparative studies have shown that children educated in the Montessori methods have a significantly deeper/longer-lasting base of knowledge, a heightened interest in their environment, and better abilities for investigation, thus preparing them for independent learning later in high school, college, and life.