THE STORY OF MARIA MONTESSORI
“Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired by listening to words but by experiences in the environment.” Maria Montessori was born in the small town of Chiaravalle, Italy in 1870. At a time when education for girls was not valued, Maria’s mother supported the idea of Maria attending college. Maria later attended medical school and became one of the first medical doctors in Italy.
The birth of her son, Mario, changed her life, as did her experience as a doctor for young children. She dedicated her life to creating an educational philosophy that would nurture the lives of children and provide them with a system of education designed for their developmental needs and interests. Dr. Montessori gave the world a scientific method, practical and tested, for bringing forth the very best in young human beings. She taught adults how to respect individual differences, and to emphasize social interaction and the education of the whole person rather than the teaching of a specific body of knowledge.