About Montessori

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Maria Montessori (1870–1952) was born and raised in Italy. She attended technical school and later became one of Italy’s first women to obtain a Doctor of Medicine degree. 

A scientist, doctor, educator, and social theorist, Dr. Montessori dedicated herself to meticulous research of previous pedagogues, recognized the importance of sensory training, experimented with teaching materials, and used intensive observation of children in her work. This rigorous approach led to what is now known as The Montessori Method. 

As medical doctor, Dr. Montessori found the treatment and education of children to be unacceptable. She began her studies and observations of children with mental and learning differences.  She developed the Montessori Materials and began her in depth study using the Scientific Method. After much success, she was given the opportunity to test her Method and Materials with 40 average developing children in the outskirts of Rome. This would become the famous and first “Casa dei Bambini” or “Childrens House” in 1906. 

Contrary to the traditional school structure of teacher and student, there are three necessary pillars in the Montessori method: the child, the trained teacher, and the prepared environment. She designed classrooms prepared with the child in mind, consisting of child-sized tables, chairs, and shelves full of specific Montessori materials. She envisioned a more peaceful world and created a method to educate the whole child in a way that would inspire them to blaze their own path as leaders, inventors, innovators, creators, educators, peacemakers, and active  community members.