About Maria Montessori
Who was Maria Montessori?
Dr. Maria Montessori was the first woman to graduate from the University of Rome Medical School in 1896. Born in Chiaravalle, Italy on August 31, 1870, she was one of the most influential educators who ever lived. Dr. Montessori worked with underprivileged young children in the early 1900’s.
Dr. Montessori’s background led her to approach education not only as a philosopher and educator, but also as a scientist. She observed carefully and followed the child with an open mind. She discovered that young children become absorbed in a serious interaction with specialized manipulative materials.
The children developed an extraordinarily high level of intellectual and social ability using her approach. She believed that no one is educated by another. He must do it himself. Thus, the goal of early childhood education is to cultivate the child’s own natural desire and ability to learn and to protect the essential nature of the child. Her attitude of respect for the child and his individuality became the foundation of the Montessori Method.
Montessori was introduced in the United States in 1912. One of the earliest schools was established by Alexander Graham Bell. Today, the Montessori approach is taught in a great number of schools in the United States and throughout the world.