LSCI405: April 2011

MARIA MONTESSORI

Maria Montessori was born on August 31, 1870, and died on May 6, 1952. She was an Italian educator of the early 20th century and is remembered as the founder of the Montessori Method of education. This approach emphasizes hands-on, individualized learning within varying age groups in a student-centered environment. Much of the "hands-on" approach now utilized in preschools and kindergartens today can be traced to the innovations of Maria Montessori. Montessori was best known as an educator; however, she was formally trained as a scientist and medical doctor, and is noted for having been Italy's first female M.D. She was nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize for her committed efforts on behalf of children.

Through her work to rehabilitate society's discarded children (mentally retarded, behavioral problems, orphans, and poor), Montessori discovered some important principles about all children and the process of learning. One was that children have an innate desire to learn and on their own, they are capable of discovering an incredible amount of information about the world in which they live. This was contrary to what society thought at that time which was that children could only learn through direct instruction, specifically being lectured by an adult. She found that children's innate power of learning worked best when children were turned loose in a safe, hands-on learning environment, and that if children were put into groups with other children within a small age range (i.e., 3-6, 6-9, 9-11, etc.), they not only worked together but learned from each other.

Above all, Montessori felt that her most notable discovery was the awareness that the teacher must focus more on what the students are doing, not the other way around. By observing how the individual children responded to various prompts, she could easily ascertain what lessons and/or experiences to present next. By acknowledging each child as an individual, with individualized needs and abilities, she could apply this method to guide children to fultillment of their potential. Overall, Montessori felt that the most vital ingredient was learning to be a good observer of children, learning to deduce what children need, both in general and as unique individuals, which will then lead to development of their full potential.

Sunday, April 3, 2011