Montessori, what the...?

Dr. Maria Montessori was an Italian physician and educator. Born in 1870, she was the first woman to earn a degree in medicine at the University of Rome.

She developed her method of education over a forty-year period, during which she observed children directly and worked with them personally. Dr. Montessori devoted her life to the education of children and adults and is honoured and respected throughout the world. Dr. Montessori's work garnered her Nobel Peace Prize nominations in 1949, 1950 and 1951.

The first Montessori classroom, the “Casa Dei Bambini”, opened in January 1907 in San Lorenzo, Rome.

The Montessori Method is based on the belief that:

  1. Respect - Children are to be respected as individuals. They are different from adults and they differ from each other.
  2. Self-Discipline - Children have a sensitivity and capacity for learning very different from that of adults.
  3. Sensitive Periods - The first six years of life are the most important periods of growth.
  4. Competence and Team work - Children work not for profit and completion of goals like adults, but for the sake of activity in the development of mental, physical and psychological abilities.
  5. Empathy – Children are taught to look others in the eye, to see others as human beings.

The aim of the Montessori method is to develop the whole child. Intellectual, physical and social growthare valued equally. The teacher encourages, guides and constantly assesses the children, while nourishing them to grow into happy, balanced, competent, responsible, adaptive life long learners. During the last one hundred years, Montessori schools have opened worldwide. Alexander Graham Bell founded the Montessori Education Association in 1913. He also provided Dr. Montessori with financial support and helped to open the first Montessori school in Canada, and one of the first in the US. Thomas Edison also helped to found a Montessori School. Jean Piaget, the renowned Swiss psychologist, made his first observations of children in Montessori schools and was head of the Swiss Montessori Society for many years. Erik Erikson, noted anthropologist and author, was a certified Montessori teacher. Lastly, our beloved neighbour from childhood, Mr. Rogers, was a huge supporter of Montessori.

Who went to Montessori?
A few examples of well-known Montessori graduates include:

If you wish to learn more about the Montessori Method please visit:
The Montessori Foundation - www.montessori.org
Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education - www.macte.org
North American Montessori Teachers’ Association – www.montessori-namta.org
Association Montessori Internationale - www.montessori-ami.org
Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators - www.ccma.ca
Toronto Montessori Institute - www.tmi.edu

And of course, if you have any questions please contact us at 647 430 5321 or at info@westsideschool.ca