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 MARIA
MONTESSORI |
| Maria Montessori |
| Dr. Maria Montessori was born in Italy in 1870. She
began her professional life not as an educator but as
a doctor of medicine. After extensive experience in private
practice, hospital work and research, she undertook further
studies in education, philosophy, psychology and anthropology
as a basis for her growing commitment to education. At
the age of 37 she took responsibility for a group of underprivileged
children in the San Lorenzo district of Rome - founding
her first Children's House (Casa dei Bambini). |
| Her unique approach to these children led to surprising
results. She observed that when previously unruly children
were provided with experiences which corresponded closely
to their stage of development, they easily became absorbed
in purposeful activities. Challenging activities engendered
greater interest than toys. The children generally wished
to do things for themselves and were less interested in
rewards given for working than in the activity itself.
This seemed to her an inherent characteristic of the child.
She came to believe that the child's education should
proceed in such a way as to provide an environment in
which the spontaneous activity of the child would be left
free to manifest itself. |
| Montessori Philosophy |
| Fundamental to Montessori's approach was a great respect
for the child as an individual. To help the personality
towards independence and an awareness of his real position
in history appears a lofty aim but it is inherent in all
that is done on the practical level of everyday activity.
The path to this aim is through providing a supportive
yet challenging environment, rich in experience and mindful
of the child's capacities and needs. Leading the child
towards mastering his environment is the formidable task
which is attempted. Success requires an understanding
of each child as an individual and an ordering of his
specific environment in such a way that he develops progressively
an understanding and refinement of his senses, an appreciation
of his role as part of a group and above all an independence
and sense of internal motivation which will sustain his
desire to explore and wonder. |
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