Contents
Maria Montessori
Developing a child-centred approach to education.
Montessori method · Prepared classrooms
- Born
- 31 August 1870
- Birthplace
- Chiaravalle, Italy
- Died
- 6 May 1952
More people
Maria Montessori
Maria Montessori was an Italian physician and educator who developed teaching methods around close observation of children. Her classrooms emphasised purposeful activity, carefully designed materials and growing independence rather than constant adult direction.
Early life
Technical education
Attended technical school when such study was unusual for girls.
Medical training
Graduated in medicine from the University of Rome in 1896.
Career
- 1890s–1900s
Medical and educational work
Worked with children with developmental disabilities and studied teaching methods.
- 1907
Casa dei Bambini
Opened a children’s house in Rome’s San Lorenzo district.
- 1909 onwards
Teacher training
Published her approach and taught courses as schools adopted it internationally.
- 1939–1946
India
Developed training work during an extended wartime stay.
Selected work
Prepared environment
Organised a classroom with materials and furniture accessible to young children.
The Montessori Method
Set out the observations and practices behind her approach.
Association Montessori Internationale
Founded an organisation with her son Mario to support the method.
Beyond work
Women’s education
Spoke publicly about women’s opportunities and professional participation.
Peace advocacy
Connected education with the development of peaceful societies in lectures and writing.
Sources & photo credit
Biography ↗Life and work ↗Photo: Unknown author Unknown author. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
.jpg){kind=link}