Origins
The Montessori method of education was developed by Dr Maria Montessori (1870-1952), an Italian who at the age of 26 was the first woman to graduate from the University of Medicine in Rome. After working closely with children and much study and development, produced her first ground-breaking book, The Montessori Method. This book was well received by the world and her ideas adopted. The Montessori approach aims to allow each child to experience the joy of learning in a non-competitive and nurturing environment in which intellectual and social development go hand in hand. Children are then able to reach their full potential in all areas of life while developing their own personality, all at their own pace.
Principles
The activities promote the development of social skills, emotional growth and physical co-ordination as well as cognitive preparation.
The educational principles are based around the following central themes:
Children are active learners. They have a natural desire to learn about the world around them. They are given freedom and opportunity to learn what they need in order to further their own development.
From birth to 6 years, children have an absorbent mind.
Everything that occurs in their life has a profound effect and therefore, the quality of early experiences are of fundamental importance to their self-construction.
Children pass through sensitive periods in their development.
