Montessori Frequently Asked Questions
MARIA MONTESSORI, MD
(1870-1953)
THE WOMAN & HER METHOD
Maria Montessori, born in 1870, was a pioneering figure in education and the first woman in Italy to earn a medical degree. Her work in psychiatry, education, and anthropology led her to revolutionize how we perceive and educate children. Montessori believed that each child is born with unique potential rather than being a “blank slate” to be filled.
Her main contributions to child-rearing and education include:
- Preparing a Natural Environment: She emphasized the importance of creating a life-supporting environment tailored to children’s needs.
- Observing Children: Montessori advocated observing children as they interact freely within their environment, allowing for a better understanding of their needs and interests.
- Adapting the Environment: She encouraged continual adaptation of the learning environment to help children realize their fullest potential—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Her innovative approach to education has had a lasting impact on how we nurture and educate children today.
THE EARLY YEARS
Maria Montessori was indeed a visionary, often ahead of her time. At just thirteen, she defied her father’s wishes and enrolled in a boys’ technical school with her mother’s support. After seven years focused on engineering, she shifted her studies to premed and became a physician in 1896.
While working at the University of Rome’s psychiatric clinic, Dr. Montessori developed a keen interest in special needs children. Through her writing and lectures, she advocated for their treatment and education.
In 1907, she was allowed to work with fifty impoverished children from the San Lorenzo slum in Rome. She established the Casa dei Bambini, or “House of Children,” where her innovative methods led to remarkable success. News of her achievements attracted visitors from around the world, eager to witness the transformation of these children.
Dr. Montessori was amazed by their potential, famously stating, “Supposing I said there was a planet without schools or teachers, the study was unknown, and yet the inhabitants—doing nothing but living and walking about—came to know all things… This is the child’s way of learning.” She recognized that children learn effortlessly, often without realizing it and that their journey of discovery is guided by joy and love. Her insights laid the foundation for a new understanding of education, one that honors every child’s innate curiosity and capability.
FROM EUROPE TO THE UNITED STATES
Invited to the USA by Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, and others, Dr. Montessori spoke at Carnegie Hall in 1915. She was asked to set up a classroom at the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco, where spectators watched twenty-one children, all new to this Montessori method, behind a glass wall for four months. The only two gold medals awarded for education went to this class, and the education of young children was altered forever.
INDIA and THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
During World War II, Dr. Montessori was forced into exile from Italy due to her antifascist views and relocated to India. In this new environment, she expanded her educational philosophy, mainly focusing on her work in “Education for Peace.” This initiative emphasized the importance of fostering peace and understanding in children, aligning with her belief that education plays a crucial role in cultivating a harmonious society.
While in India, Dr. Montessori also developed many ideas that are now integral to the training courses for educators in the Montessori method. Her contributions to education and peace were so significant that she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize twice, reflecting her lasting impact on education and global peace efforts. Her legacy continues to inspire educators and advocates for children’s rights worldwide.
TODAY
Since her passing, interest in Dr. Montessori’s methods has grown worldwide. Her core message to educators has always been to “follow the child,” emphasizing the importance of focusing on the child’s needs and interests. This fundamental principle and her observation guidelines ensure that her ideas remain relevant and timeless.
Upon learning about the high academic achievements of students in Montessori settings, many people mistakenly believe that the method is solely about materials, such as math manipulatives. While these tools are valuable, they represent only a tiny part of the Montessori approach. Proper Montessori education requires extensive training for educators, encompassing much more than just using specific materials.
A child’s potential extends beyond intellectual development; it is fully realized only when the complete Montessori method is understood and implemented. This method fosters independence, practical work, care for others and the environment, and encourages deep concentration by respecting the child’s work. As a result, children excel academically and develop emotionally and spiritually. They learn to care for others and the world, discovering their unique ways to contribute. This holistic development is the essence of authentic Montessori work today.