Biography
In the early 1900's, Maria Montessori became Italy’s first woman to graduate from medical school and then went on to a distinguished academic career in medicine, psychiatry and anthropology. Today the world remembers this remarkable woman primarily for her contribution in the field of education. Her experimental work with underprivileged children led her to develop an innovative teaching method that revolutionized modern educational thought. At present, the Montessori method is used in an estimated 90,000 schools throughout the world.

Early Learning
Through a lifetime of scientific observation and experience, Maria Montessori discovered the importance of what she called ‘sensitive periods’ in early learning. During each of these periods, between birth and the age of six, children are able to acquire specific skills with an ease that will never be duplicated in later life. To take full advantage of these extraordinary receptive abilities, the Montessori classroom offers an enriched environment in which children are encouraged to explore their interests and develop their full potential in all areas.

The Classroom
To the young child, the world is a large, complex and confusing place. The Montessori classroom is a child-sized environment featuring carefully selected elements from the world at large. These are made manageable and arranged in an attractive way to invite exploration. The classroom is divided into five areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics and Culture. The harmonious, orderly environment with its serene atmosphere promotes concentration while the colourful materials offer multiple possibilities for discovery.

The Materials
Maria Montessori devised an extensive series of manipulative teaching materials, sequenced from the simple to the increasingly complex. These materials allow children to learn through the senses, putting even difficult concepts within the grasp of the very young. Montessori materials are so absorbing that children find it easy to concentrate on their task. They become confident, self-motivated learners, tackling each new activity with enthusiasm, carrying it to completion and taking pride in their accomplishments.

The Mixed-Age Class
The Montessori method incorporates periods of individual study and co-operative activity, one-on-one interaction with the teacher and group lessons. Children are grouped from ages 18 to 36 months, 3 to 6, 6 to 9 and 9 to 12. These groupings address their developmental needs and help them learn to interact with classmates of different ages. Within the classroom community, the children find older students to emulate and younger companions to assist. In this process of socialization they develop new confidence and continue reinforcing their knowledge.

The Teacher's Role
The Montessori teacher is a professional who facilitates learning and helps the child progress from one stage to the next. She is trained to observe and support the child’s development, knowing when to assist and when to stand back in order to allow the child ownership of the learning process. Children are free to follow their interests and engage in purposeful activity providing they respect the right of others to do the same. This balance of structure and freedom fosters initiative, builds responsibility and helps children gain self-confidence.