About Us

Dr. Maria Montessori was a renowned Italian physician, educator, and innovator, celebrated for her revolutionary educational approach that aligns with children's natural learning process. She was born on August 31, 1870, in the provincial town of Chiaravalle, Italy, and grew up in an environment that valued education.

Despite the limited opportunities for women during that time, she defied social norms and expectations, pursuing knowledge with great passion. Her tireless curiosity led her to explore various fields of study before ultimately formulating the educational method that bears her name today. She spent her early years in Rome, surrounded by numerous libraries, museums, and excellent schools. Being a confident and ambitious student, she refused to be confined by the societal norms of the era. At the age of 13, she entered an exclusive technical institute for boys with the intention of pursuing a career in engineering. However, shortly thereafter, she decided to change her path and chose to become a medical doctor. Despite facing rejection from the University of Rome, she persevered, acquired additional qualifications to enhance her admission prospects, and her determination paid off as she was accepted and successfully entered the university, paving the way for future generations of women in this field.

Dr. Montessori's graduation from medical school in 1896 made her one of Italy's pioneering female physicians. Despite the profession being predominantly male-dominated, she bravely challenged the conventions and norms of her time and established herself successfully in this demanding field, relying on her unwavering strength, dedication, and perseverance. Initially focusing on psychiatry, she gradually developed a deep interest in education, immersing herself in pedagogical classes and educational theory. It was through her studies that she began to question prevailing teaching methods for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In 1900, Dr. Montessori had a remarkable opportunity to improve these methods when she was appointed co-director of a new teacher training institute for special education. Approaching the task scientifically, she meticulously observed and experimented to determine the most effective teaching techniques. To her delight, the children progressed astonishingly, and the program received widespread recognition. Inspired by her success, Dr. Montessori took on the challenge of opening a full-day childcare center in the impoverished urban district of San Lorenzo in Rome. On January 6, 1907, she inaugurated the first Montessori school, known as the "Casa dei Bambini" (Children's House). The students were children aged 3 to 7 who were neglected because their parents had to work and had to leave them to their own devices. Initially undisciplined, the children quickly developed a keen interest in puzzles, food preparation, and the learning materials meticulously designed by Dr. Montessori. She observed how they absorbed knowledge from their environment, teaching themselves practically. This establishment became the pioneering Casa dei Bambini, a high-quality learning environment in Italy.

Building on her scientific observations and experience with young children, Dr. Montessori developed a wide variety of learning methods, materials, and an environment that nurtured children's innate desire to learn, granting them the freedom to choose their own educational resources. The program, initially developed for children facing various challenges, showcased remarkable transformations as they displayed increased concentration, attention, and spontaneous self-discipline. By 1910, Montessori schools had proliferated throughout Western Europe and expanded globally, including the foundation of the first Montessori school in Tarrytown, New York, in 1911.

Living amid wars and political turmoil, Dr. Montessori recognized the significance of "Education for Peace" and incorporated this concept into her curriculum. Unfortunately, in 1940, during World War II, while traveling in India, she found herself caught in the conflict between Italy and Britain and was forced into self-exile. This period of exile provided her with the opportunity to train numerous educators in her method.

After the conclusion of the war, Dr. Montessori returned to Europe and spent her final years in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where she peacefully passed away in a friend's garden on May 6, 1952. Throughout her life, Dr. Maria Montessori was dedicated to promoting her child-centered approach to education. She delivered extensive lectures, wrote articles and books, and developed teacher training programs focused on the Montessori Method. Through her tireless efforts and the work of her followers, Montessori's educational philosophy gained global recognition and continues to be successful over a century later!