MARIA MONTESSORI
Nominated for the Nobel Peace
Prize three times,
Maria Montessori dedicated her life to creating an optimum growth environment
for children. Montessori began her scientific observations of children after
her graduation from the University of Rome as Italy’s first female doctor.
Working first with children in asylums in Rome, Montessori discovered that by
creating an environment where children were provided with materials suited to
their sensitive periods of development they were able to teach themselves.
Montessori
looked next to the children of San Lorenzo in Rome and opened a “Casa de
Bambini” or Children’s House in 1907. Soon educators and visitors from far and wide arrived to observe this
amazing new concept in education. This innovative educational system was
founded not on the direct instruction from the teacher, but on the child’s
exposure to a carefully crafted environment.
Montessori’s philosophical theories on child development
have been proven time and again through current brain research. She was the
first person to talk about sensitive periods of development, or “windows of
opportunity”. She also emphasized the importance of movement for cognitive
development. Maria Montessori believed each child should be treated
with respect, given freedom within the limits of a carefully structured
environment, and allowed to develop naturally at their own pace. Dr. Montessori's main objective was to help children everywhere to
reach their maximum learning potential, while becoming well balanced
individuals able to cope with the pressures of modern day living.
Montessori education provides a range of experiences which will
stimulate a child's love of learning and discovery.
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