Philosophy
Dr. Maria Montessori: The Woman, The Educator
The Montessori Method is a result of the experience and discoveries of Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952). Upon graduation as the first woman medical doctor in Italy, Dr. Montessori became interested in the education and training of special needs children. She was a devoted scientist and insatiable learner. The fact that she was able to break gender barriers is an indication of the courage, perseverance and determination that characterized her life. Maria Montessori was a keen observer who, through her study of children as well as through extensive travels around the world, learned that certain phases of development are universal and continue throughout our lives. Children in particular manifest the clearest stages in their development. Dr. Montessori designed materials and techniques which allowed her children to work in areas previously considered beyond their capacity.
Dr. Montessori’s life work began with a group of disadvantaged children in 1907 when she opened her famous Casa di Bambini. Through her observations of and work with the children, she discovered their remarkable, almost effortless ability to absorb knowledge from their surroundings. Dr. Montessori developed an approach to education as a means of providing children with the kind of environment from which they would draw what is necessary for the development of their fullest human potentials. She believed in the uniqueness of each child and in his potential as an architect of a better and more peaceful world. This simple and profound truth inspired Dr. Montessori’s lifelong pursuit of educational reform, curriculum development, methodology, psychology, teaching and teacher training, all based on her dedication to further the self-creating process of the child.
Dr. Montessori was, in many ways, ahead of her time. As a doctor of Medicine, Psychology, Philosophy, Anthropology and Education, she led the revolution in education reform over one hundred years ago. She addressed the United Nations as a special speaker and guest to promulgate further understanding in human development and education. Considered one of the most predominant figures of the last century, her legacy remains with us to this day.
To Educate the Human Potential
The secret of good teaching is to regard the child's intelligence as a fertile field in which seeds may be sown, to grow under the heat of flaming imagination.
The Montessori Method
The greatest triumph of our method: to bring about the spontaneous progress of a child.
The Absorbent Mind
We know how to find pearl in the shells of oysters, gold in the mountains, and coal in the bowls of the earth, but we are unaware of the spiritual gems, the creative nebulae, that the child hides in himself when he enters this world to renew mankind.
The Montessori Method
The Montessori method of education is based on a deep respect for the individual child, recognizing that the basic drive of young children is to grow, learn, develop a sense of order, a love of learning, self-confidence, inner discipline and concentration. Upon graduation as the first woman medical doctor in Italy, Dr. Montessori became interested in the education and training of special needs children.
She was a devoted scientist and insatiable learner. Maria Montessori was a keen observer who, through her study of children as well as through extensive travels around the world, learned that certain phases of development are universal and continue throughout our lives. Dr. Montessori always emphasized that the hand is the chief teacher of the child. In order to learn there must be concentration, and the best way a child can concentrate is by fixing his attention on some task he is performing with his hands. Dr. Montessori developed an approach to education as a means of providing children with the kind of environment from which they would draw what is necessary for the development of their fullest human potential. She believed in the uniqueness of each child and in their potential as an architect of a better and more peaceful world.
This simple and profound truth inspired Dr. Montessori’s lifelong pursuit of educational reform, curriculum development, methodology, psychology, teaching and teacher training, all based on her dedication to further the self-creating process of the child. At our schools, we believe each child to be a unique individual and endowed with great potential. This is fostered through nurturing the heart of the child and challenging the intellect by providing an individualized approach for each child while promoting self motivation.
We believe that the integrity of the Montessori prepared environment must be preserved and moreover, the foundation of the school’s success is built by a community involving child, parent and educator.
