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Dr. Maria Montessori

• Born in 1870, was the first woman in Italy to receive a medical degree.
• Worked in the fields of psychiatry, education and anthropology.
• Believed that each child is born with a unique potential to be revealed.
• Realized that children must be stimulated during early childhood, from birth to six, in order to reach their full potential.
• Believed that the desire to learn is a child's most fundamental need.
• Gave the world a scientific method, practical and tested, for bringing forth the very best in young human beings.
• Taught adults to respect children.

The "Montessori Method"

Developed from the work of Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900's, from her efforts to scientifically study the child's true nature. She observed children free to engage in activities of their own choice in a well-ordered physical environment. In 1907, she discovered that young children under these circumstances return to a normal state of being in harmony with their entire environment. She observed that these "normalized" children show such qualities as self -discipline, love of order and concentrated attention to intellectual activities.

Montessori teaching today stands for a first-class education all over the world.

The Montessori Learning Environment

The Montessori Learning Environment is much different than the traditional model. Instead of the knowledge passing from the teacher or the book to the student, the Montessori Teacher is trained in putting the child in touch with a carefully designed classroom environment. It's the role of the teacher to prepare, and continue to prepare, the environment, to link the child to it through well-thought-out lessons.

This environment is arranged according to subject areas. Children are always free to move around the room instead of staying at desks. There is no limit to how long a child can work with a piece of material. At any time of the day all subjects can be studied, at all levels.

Before the age of six, a child learns from direct contact with the environment, by all means of all senses, and through movement. The child literally absorbs what is the environment. Sensorial-manipulative materials enable the child to gain learning experiences and move from the concrete to the abstract.

At all ages children must be introduced to materials and lessons in all areas. Only what a child experiences, can he learn. Thus, the school must provide a rich, stimulating curriculum.

A special principle of the Montessori philosophy is that children also learn by observing and teaching others. Every Montessori class consists of mixed age groups. The younger children are free to watch the older ones, while the older children may, if they wish, teach the younger ones. A co-operative atmosphere rather than a competitive is encouraged in the classroom.

Children in Montessori classes learn according to their own developmental time limit. They are expected to make responsible choices for their learning and to use their freedom well. Children appreciate the respect they are given and become mature individuals who love to learn.

Useful Links

The following is a list of Internet links that you may find useful.