WHO IS MARIA MONTESSORI?
Maria Montessori
Maria Montessori was the first woman in Italy to become a physician.
After completing medical school in 1896, Dr. Montessori was assigned the task of caring for the inmates of the insane asylum in Rome. Housed in this asylum were children who were considered unteachable, unreachable. While caring for their physical needs, Montessori realized that these children needed more than just basic care; they needed an environment and a teaching style that would meet these needs. After five years of working with Dr. Montessori, the children in the insane asylum in Rome were formally tested. The test scores were the same as or higher than the scores of the school children in Rome!
WHAT IS THE MONTESSORI METHOD?
The teaching method and philosophy of education that Dr. Montessori developed at the turn of the 20th century in Rome is based on the use of the five senses and on the use of procedural or muscle memory. This type of memory is created by repetitive muscle use (think of riding a bike, playing the piano). Using the five senses stimulates different parts of the brain. The Montessori Method believes in preparing the environment to meet the needs of the people using it, rather than expecting people to adapt to the environment. The Montessori Method also encourages the use of natural materials, for example, wood and glass rather than plastic, real flowers rather than silk. Living things, animals, plants and gardens have been an important part of the Montessori Method for over 100 years.
Respecting and honoring the spirit of each person, whether the person is three years old or 83 years old is central to the Montessori Method and philosophy.
