Who was Dr. Maria Montessori ?
Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was born in Italy and trained as a doctor. She was the first Italian woman doctor of her day and went on to lecture at university and then studied philosophy and psychology. <br
>She became an educationalist and devoted her life to working on behalf of the child. Dr. Montessori’s main objective was to help children everywhere to reach their maximum learning potential, while becoming well-balanced individuals able to cope with the pressures of modern day living.
Montessori education provides a range of experiences, which will stimulate a childs love of learning and discovery. </br
What makes it different from other types of pre-school ?
In Montessori schools the children follow a set programme of tasks or exercises.
They learn everyday skills such as dressing themselves, tying their coats, shoes and accessories, cleaning up after themselves and generally caring for their own working environment.
They learn social graces and manners and cover a wide range of subjects including mathematics, reading and writing, history and geography, science, biology, music, Irish, art, drama and literature. Subjects may vary slightly, however: small class numbers, individual attention, practical life skills and a commitment to the development of each child as an individual, do not.
When did it start ?
In 1906 Montessori was invited to oversee the care and education of a group of children of working parents in a new apartment building for low-income families in the San Lorenzo district in Rome.
Montessori was interested in applying her work and methods to mentally normal children, and she accepted. The name Casa dei Bambini, or Children’s House, was suggested to Montessori, and the first Casa opened on January 6, 1907, enrolling 50 or 60 children between the ages of two or three and six or seven
The Montessori teacher !
The Montessori teacher should always treat the children with respect, letting them see by her actions and words that values and esteems their rights as individuals.
She must always be ready to listen and to use her powers of observation to pick up the non-verbal signs that a child, who is in need of help, support or encouragement may be giving.
In a class where the children feel that the teacher values and respects each and every one of them, they will in turn respect the teacher and value her. They will see her as a trustworthy friend in whom they can confide their concerns and also share their excitements and achievements with.
It is in the basis of such a relationship founded on trust and mutual esteem that a happy and productive atmosphere is founded.