Montessori is a system of education developed by Dr. Maria
Montessori in the early 1900’s. Montessori is both a philosophy
of child growth and a rationale for guiding such growth.
It is based on the child’s developmental needs for freedom
within limits and a carefully prepared environment, which
guarantees exposure to materials and experiences through
which to develop intelligence, as well as physical and
psychological abilities.
Montessori is designed to take full advantage of the self-motivation
and unique ability of children to develop their own capabilities.
The child needs adults to expose him to the possibilities
of his life, but the child himself must direct his response
to those possibilities.
Dr. Montessori discovered that the most important years
of growth are the first six years of life when unconscious
learning is gradually brought to the conscious level. Children
are to be respected as different from adults, and as individuals
who differ from each other.
Suggested Montessori Books for Reading:
“The Secret of Childhood”, by Maria Montessori “The Absorbent Mind”, by Maria Montessori “The Discovery of the Child”, by Maria
Montessori “Education & Peace”, by Maria Montessori
The information above is courtesy of
Paula Lillard, author of "Montessori – A Modern Approach".
