Maria Montessori
Within the CHILD lies the FATE of the FUTURE!
She was born on August 31, 1870, in Chiaravalle, Italy, Maria grew up in Rome. A place of many libraries, museums, and fine schools to learn from and gain knowledge.
It was this inner craving for knowledge that led her to unsheathe the educational/development theory that holds her name.
Background
Montessori's childhood was filled with knowledge. From her well-educated parents, to her time in Rome, she grew up with an astounding thirst for knowledge that paved the way for her later work.
during WWII Maria had to flee to India where she created Education for Peace which earned her two nominations for a Nobel Peace Prize.
The Montessori Method
Explanation
Method in action
The center of the method includes The Montessori classroom which is set around three key points: the teacher, the child and the environment.
Montessori classes consist of children of different ages, which more closely resembles a real-world environment. The younger children (ages 3-5) focus their 'work' on materials that develop cognition through the 5 senses through direct experience. The teacher observes the child's learning and guides them through the next few stages and helps as needed but not unnecessary.