Maria Montessori

Professional Education

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Born on August 31st, 1871, died on May 6th, 1952, Dr. Maria Montessori was an eminent pedagogue of the 20thcentury. Italian citizen, she was the first female doctor of Rome. Her interest in child psychiatry led her to develop, on one hand, sensory materials for children, and, on the other. hand, to begin psychology studies in 1901.

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Premises of his work

 

In order to enable intellectually handicapped children to acquire notions of mathematics, reading and writing, she designed materials adapted to each stage of development. The result exceeded so much her expectations, she considered expanding her research to normal children. In 1900, she directed the National School of Orthophrenia, and in 1904 she became holder of the Anthropology Chair at the University of Rome.

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Focusing

 

In 1907, on the basis of her success with interned children, she was entrusted, by the Italian administration, with the management of a center for children from 3 to 6 years old in a disadvantaged neighborhood.
This center was called the "House of Children" (Casa dei Bambini). It has been the opportunity for her to continue her work of material creation and to perfect her pedagogy which included after sensory and intellectual activities, activities of practical life as a field of acquisition for children.

 

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International impact

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Specialists came from all over the world to the "House of Children" to observe this curiosity: pre-school toddlers able to learn quickly and by themselves things deemed complicated, meanwhile remaining calm, disciplined and concentrated and in an atmosphere of great freedom!
Maria Montessori enjoyed a worldwide success to the point of creating, in 1929, the Montessori International Association in order to promote a faithful application of its pedagogy.