Montessori
Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952)
The Observer
Dr. Maria Montessori was in many ways, ahead of her time. She was Italy’s first woman physician, holder of doctorate degrees in psychology and philosophy as well as professor of anthropology. Montessori’s work was recognized worldwide. She was nominated three times (1949, 1950, 1951) for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Through detailed scientific observations of young children, Montessori learned of their almost effortless ability to absorb knowledge from their surroundings, as well as their tireless interest in manipulating materials. Every piece of equipment, every exercise, every method Montessori developed was based on what she observed children to do “naturally,” by themselves, unassisted by adults.
Montessori’s Educational Philosophy
The core of Dr. Montessori’s Educational Philosophy is that children are free to learn, because they have acquired an “inner discipline”. From their earliest days in a Montessori classroom, children are surrounded by the order of the “prepared environment”.
Children use materials to perform a progression of tasks in an ordered manner. These materials are multi-sensory and self-correcting and they are designed to enhance the child’s attention. As children are internally challenged to complete tasks, their curiosity is stimulated.
Montessori children develop habits of concentration, perseverance and thoroughness that are truly theirs. This inner challenge, established in early childhood, produces a confident, competent learner in later years.
History of the Montessori Method
The Montessori Method soon appeared in classrooms all over the world as word spread of the remarkable results of Dr. Montessori’s Program. The first Montessori Class in Canada was in the Bell home in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in 1917, where seven Bell grandchildren attended. At that time, Alexander Graham Bell was president of the Montessori Educational Association.
Many other famous people were influenced and inspired by Dr. Montessori’s work. Some of these people include the following:
- Jean Piaget’s (famous child psychologist) theory of cognitive development was profoundly influenced by Dr. Montessori’s observations. He was president of the Montessori Society in Switzerland for many years.
- Sigmund Freud once wrote to Dr. Montessori and said, “my daughter...considers herself one of your disciples” and “I would be pleased to sign my name beside yours...brilliance radiates from it”.
- Thomas Edison was also one of Montessori’s most loyal and supportive followers.
- Mahatma Gandhi knew Maria Montessori and visited her classes in Rome in the 1930’s.
- Helen Keller, inspired by Montessori wrote, “I believe that every child has hidden away somewhere in his being, noble capacities which may be quickened and developed if we go about it in the right way. But we shall never properly develop the higher nature of our little ones while we continue to fill their minds with the so-called basics. Mathematics will never make them loving, nor will accurate knowledge of the size and shape of the world help them to appreciate its beauties. Let us lead them during the first years to find their greatest pleasure in nature. Let them run in the fields, learn about animals, and observe real things. Children will educate themselves under the right conditions.”
The Montessori Method continues to be highly regarded by millions of people throughout the world. Dr. Maria Montessori has had an impact on the field of education in general and the way we understand children today. Many of her ideas are now part of our common knowledge, language and thinking about children. This influence can be seen throughout the fields of childcare, education and child development.
Famous Montessori Graduates
There are many succesful and/or famous people who where Montessori educated. Some of these people include the following:
- Jeff Bezos (Founder of Amazon.com)
- Larry Page and Sergey Brin (Co-founders of Google.com)
- Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (Former U.S. First Lady)
- Prince William and Prince Harry (English Royal Family)
- Anne Frank (Famous Diarist from World War II)
- Chelsea Clinton (Former U.S. First Daughter)
- Katharine Graham (Owner/Editor of the Washington Post)
- Sean ‘P.Diddy’ Combs (RAP Mega-Star)
- Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Nobel Prize winner for Literature)
- T. Berry Brazelton (Pediatrician and Author)
- Julia Child (Chef, Star of many TV Cooking Shows, and Author)
- Friedensreich Hundertwasser (Austrian Painter and Architect)