Maria Montessori: 5 Amazing Facts You Should Know
Are you considering enrolling your child in a local Montessori academy, but you want to learn more about it? It helps to start by learning about its founder, Maria Montessori.
The Maria Montessori education parents are familiar with today is due in large part because of her own beliefs about child development and children.
Founded in 1907 in Rome, the Montessori philosophy is now a part of over 1200 schools across the nation. Learn more about the Maria Montessori academy today!
1. Vast Education
Maria Montessori was a highly educated woman. In fact, she was the first woman in Italy to become certified as a medical doctor. This was in spite of her father’s wishes, who wanted her to live a more traditional life.
She was the unwed mother of her son, who grew up with her family away from Rome. For more information on her life, linked here is a thorough biography.
2. Observing Children With Disabilities
The materials, methods, and philosophies she created for her academy were from observing children with disabilities. She found that with her materials, children with disabilities were responding. They were able to read, write, and even pass the same tests as their peers.
3. Maria Montessori Quotes
Maria Montessori is known for a variety of quotes based on social change, child development, and child education. She wrote frequently on these topics, gifting us today with vast troves of material.
One of her more popular quotes says that education can be a weapon for peace. You find more of her quotes here and expand your knowledge.
4. Maria Montessori Books
If you read a few more of her quotes and are interested in what she’s published, Maria Montessori has written and published a variety of books. Here are a few of her most notable publications:
- “Citizen of the World”
- “Education and Peace”
- “Education for a New World”
- “From Childhood to Adolescence”
- “The Absorbent Mind”
You can see how not only was Maria interested in childhood development but how their education impacts the modern world. This is important for educators to understand. How they teach and what they teach can greatly impact the trajectory of society.
5. The Glass Classroom
Although Montessori was founded in 1907, Maria made her first trip to the United States in 1912. Only three years later, she attended the great San Francisco World’s Fair in order to set up a class. Her trip was a success, as she later won two gold medals.
Her exhibit at the fair was called “The Glass Classroom,” as the glass panels invited passers-by to look inside. Observers called the children inside the classroom “miracle children,” as they noticed how they focused on their work despite being able to see all of the people outside peering at them.
Maria Montessori: The Founder Behind the Philosophy
Maria Montessori was a highly educated Italian woman that was ahead of her time. With a passion for child development, education, and the society at large, she took her role of instructing young minds seriously.
Paying attention to the way children naturally learn, Montessori Academy is now known for its focus on self-motivated growth in all areas of a child’s development.
Ready to read more about teaching philosophies? Keep reading the blog!
Samantha Gaines wrote this article on behalf of FreeUp. FreeUp is the fastest-growing freelance marketplace in the US. FreeUp only accepts the top 1% of freelance applicants. Click here to get access to the top freelancers in the world.
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