Maria Montessori (1870-1952) a true pioneer and visionary, was the first woman in Italy to receive a medical degree. She was professor of pedagogy in Rome, and worked in the fields of anthropology, psychology and education. As a physician she worked with children with special needs working, writing and advocating on their behalf. In 1907 her work in the Casa dei Bambini (House of the Children) with 50 children ~ the poorest of the poor "normal" population brought her unprecedented attention. Dr. Montessori, believing in the potential of all children achieved great success with these children. Their realized potential was even astonishing to Dr. Montessori herself.
Supposing I said there was a planet without schools or teachers, study was unknown, and yet the inhabitants - doing nothing but living and walking about - came to know all things, to carry in their minds the whole of learning: would you not think I was romancing? Well, just this, which seems so fanciful as to be nothing but the invention of a fertile imagination, is a reality. It is the child's way of learning. This is the path he follows. He learns everything without knowing he is learning it, and in doing so passes little from the unconscious to the conscious, treading always in the paths of joy and love. ~ Maria Montessori
The Montessori Method
Today the Montessori Method is practiced all over the world. Educators are trained and receive diplomas to be certified to teach in accordance with Maria Montessori's philosophy and practice. Her message to teachers was to turn your attention to the child, "follow the child". Her learning environments are full of beauty and order. It is a highly planned environment to optimize a child's natural abilities to learn. A Montessori classroom is intentionally designed to foster independence and child-initiated engagement. Materials such as the brown stair and pink tower among many, many others are in authentic Montessori classrooms. The environment is quiet and purposeful. Demonstrations of materials are given commanding the greatest respect and focus on the learning experience at hand.
Children work on tasks from practical life ~ learning how to care for ones self and others ~ to highly concentrated problem solving in mathematics, science and social studies. A high value is set on respect for others space, and children are not to be hurried or work interrupted. Above all there is a reverence and value given to each person for their unique and very special contribution to the community and world. links
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI)
AMI USA Teacher Training locator
American Montessori Society (AMS)
Montessori
The International Montessori Index
Maria Montessori educational approach to childhood teacher training
schools
schools
Princeton Montessori School
Infant through eighth grade school, Princeton, NJ
videos
YouTube ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYYiuP3Yy_o
Blogs
Resources
Bucks Rock Creative and Performing Arts Camp nestled in the woodlands of New Milford, Connecticut was founded by European educators Ernst and Ilse Bulova who studied under Maria Montessori. In 1942 they opened this innovative arts camp for children. Their vision was for children to embrace both creativity and work as educational values and a way of life. Summer workshops range from performing arts to science and technology to sports.
