Dr. Maria Montessori
Born in Chiaravalle in the Province of Ancona in 1870. Dr. Maria Montessori had gone to school to complete many degrees, which was uncommon for women during the later 1800s. Maria Montessori was a physician, an educator, and innovator. All of these helped Montessori o open her own school, the Casa dei Bambini, “Children’s House”, in Rome in 1907. Montessori’s philosophy of education was for children to learn naturally through hands-on experiences.
After graduating with her medical degree in 1896 from the University of Rome. Her main focus was in the area of psychiatry. At this time Montessori’s interests spread to the area of education. Specifically working with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 1900, Montessori was titled as co-director of a training institute for special education teachers. Within this position she was able to observe and experiment what methods worked the best and which did not.
In 1907, Montessori opened her own school, Casa dei Bambini, in a poor inner-city of Rome. The students showed interests in working with puzzles, learning to prepare meals, and using manipulating materials to learn math. Students used these materials and Montessori’s guidance to teach themselves. Since students had shown gains from the materials and absorbing knowledge from their surroundings; Montessori designed wooden materials “works” and an environment that made learning come naturally to the students. The school showed progress and the school spread throughout Italy; Montessori school spread worldwide by the year 1910.
Dr. Maria Montessori continued to expand her lessons and teachings. Writing books, developing a program to train other teachers, and lecturing were ways she spread her thoughts and ideas of pedagogy.
Montessori campaigned for women’s rights and spoke on behalf of the need of opportunities for women. She was recognized as a leading voice for feminisms. Dr. Maria Montessori’s life and experiences have shaped her curriculum. After living in India, when hostilities between Italy and Great Britain broke out in 1940. She used this time to train teachers and to add peace education to the curriculum.
After her death in May 6, 1952, Noordwijk, Netherlands; her son Mario became her successor.
After graduating with her medical degree in 1896 from the University of Rome. Her main focus was in the area of psychiatry. At this time Montessori’s interests spread to the area of education. Specifically working with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 1900, Montessori was titled as co-director of a training institute for special education teachers. Within this position she was able to observe and experiment what methods worked the best and which did not.
In 1907, Montessori opened her own school, Casa dei Bambini, in a poor inner-city of Rome. The students showed interests in working with puzzles, learning to prepare meals, and using manipulating materials to learn math. Students used these materials and Montessori’s guidance to teach themselves. Since students had shown gains from the materials and absorbing knowledge from their surroundings; Montessori designed wooden materials “works” and an environment that made learning come naturally to the students. The school showed progress and the school spread throughout Italy; Montessori school spread worldwide by the year 1910.
Dr. Maria Montessori continued to expand her lessons and teachings. Writing books, developing a program to train other teachers, and lecturing were ways she spread her thoughts and ideas of pedagogy.
Montessori campaigned for women’s rights and spoke on behalf of the need of opportunities for women. She was recognized as a leading voice for feminisms. Dr. Maria Montessori’s life and experiences have shaped her curriculum. After living in India, when hostilities between Italy and Great Britain broke out in 1940. She used this time to train teachers and to add peace education to the curriculum.
After her death in May 6, 1952, Noordwijk, Netherlands; her son Mario became her successor.