What is Montessori?

Dr. Maria Montessori was born in Italy on August 31, 1870. She was the first woman to graduate with a doctorate in medicine from the University of Rome, specializing in pediatrics and psychiatry. At the turn of the century, she began a process that would have worldwide implications and would change the course of education. She discarded old prejudices regarding children and set out to establish a scientific approach to education, one based on careful observation of children in many different countries, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds. In addition, she established a philosophy that sought to integrate the social and economic experiences of a child, therefore, leading them toward unified growth and independence. Her philosophy reflects her deep respect for children and her trust in their ability to be active participants in their own education, ultimately enabling them one day to be active participants in world peace.

 Dr. Maria Montessori died on May 6, 1952, at the age of eight-one.  She gave the world a better understanding that children learn best at their own pace and in a happy, orderly environment that allows them the freedom to control their own activities. Numerous contemporary educational and cognitive development experts have validated Dr. Montessori's research.  Those who studied under Dr. Montessori and went on to make their own contributions to education and child psychology include Anna Freud, Jean Piaget, Alfred Adler, and Erik Erikson.