Who was Maria Montessori and what was her method?

Maria Montessori was an Italian doctor practicing in Rome, Italy. However, she also had a great passion and love for education, especially early childhood development. She firmly believed in children learning naturally and developing a natural love for learning.

Maria Montessori began her method of teaching by using her educational theories based on the child itself, focusing on the child’s stage of development. She opened the first Montessori school, named the Casa dei Bambini, or ‘Children's House’ in Rome in 1907.

Maria Montessori believed children will flourish in an environment that stimulates them. Through her observations, she understood that children learn and acquire skills from other children around them.

Montessori vertical grouping

In Montessori schools, there is ‘vertical grouping’. This means that there are mixed-ages in each classroom. It has been researched and observed over the years that younger children look up to, and admire, their older peers. The older children always lend a loving, helping hand to the younger children in their class.

Maria Montessori firmly believed that no matter how old or young a child is, they all develop and learn in their own unique and wonderful way. Every child should be loved and respected equally.

The Montessori methodology is growing year-on-year globally and The Wonderful World of Montessori is a big advocate of Montessori learning in young children.