“There is in the soul of a child an impenetrable secret that is gradually revealed as it develops.”
-Maria Montessori
Dr. Maria Montessori was an Italian physician who dedicated her life to children and their education. Born and raised in Italy, she became the country’s first female physician. She did her post graduate work focusing on the education of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After applying her theories and methods to her program, the once hopeless children excelled on their exams.
In 1907 she opened “Casa del Bambini” in Rome. It was opened to children of factory workers, who were running wild while their parents were working. The school enrolled three to six years old. Dr. Montessori, through her extensive research, created an environment designed to educate children. From there, Dr. Montessori proceeded to create programs to include children ranging in age from six weeks well into elementary and middle school.
The Montessori philosophy is based on several key components; The Absorbent Mind, sensitive periods, self direction/self motivation, physical activity to absorb abstract and practical skills, autodidactic (self correcting) materials, and multi-age classrooms. Also key is “The Prepared Environment” – a classroom with four areas, Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, and Math designed for children. Everything is beautiful, child-sized, and of natural materials. In a Montessori classroom, the lead teacher is referred to as a directress. Each directress has completed extensive training in Montessori philosophy, as well as early childhood development and education.
The benefits of Montessori are endless. One of the biggest and most impactful is the three year cycle. Children remain with the same directress in the same environment for three years. The maturation that occurs during these years is phenomenal and sometimes immeasurable. Working and socializing in a multi-age classroom creates challenges and accomplishments for every age group. Every child will travel their own journey through a Montessori classroom at his/her own pace. Maria Montessori has created an environment that assures that each child will succeed in this journey.
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