Doctor Maria Montessori

Dr Maria Montessori was born on the 31st of August 1870, in Italy. From a young age Maria had fought the stereotypical views of women only being able to achieve certain job opportunities. From 1886-1890 Maria continued her education at the Regio Instituto Tecnico Leonardo da Vinci with the intention of becoming an engineer. Maria abandoned this career path in order to study medicine and become a doctor. Maria became the first woman to enter a medical school in Italy. This was not an easy career to pursue especially for a woman, as she faced prejudice from male colleagues. On the 10th of July 1896, Dr Maria Montessori became the first woman to qualify as a doctor in Italy. As a physician Dr Maria Montessori was involved with the care of young children. As a doctor she visited Rome's asylum for the insane in order to seek any patients for treatment at her clinic. This is where she had realised that the children were desperate for hand stimulating activities, and she believed that this was a contributing factor to their illness. By observing the children, Dr Montessori had discovered that the children create their own personalities through interacting with the environment. Maria grasped an opportunity to work with 'normal' children when she had the chance. Using the materials and knowledge she had collected over the years, Dr Montessori opened the first Case dei Bambini (children's house) in one of the poorest areas of Rome, Quartiere di San Lorenzo on the 6th of January, 1907. By 1908, there were 5 Case dei Bambini open, four in Rome and one in Milan. News spread of Montessori's Case dei Bambini, and many travelled in order to see the extraordinary progress. Resulting in the beginning the new educational approach. There are now approximately 24,000 Montessori schools worldwide. Sadly, Maria Montessori died on May 6th 1952 in the Netherlands.

Montessori's Theory

• Independence -"Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed"- Maria Montessori. It was always a goal of Maria's to allow the children to be independent. When the children are given the opportunity to do things for themselves their self belief and self esteem increases which can benefit their ability to learn.
• Observation - Is a way that adults can help the current needs of the children. This was the way that Maria developed her theories.
• Following the Child - This is also another way the children can show you what they need. You should give the child the independence and freedom to choose what to do without being overprotective. 
• Correcting the Child - Children make mistakes, but instead of raising voices, you should recognise the mistake and clear up the mess together. Children like cleaning up because they see adults doing it, therefore are intrigued by it. By raising voices or giving punishments, the child becomes frightened to take risks therefore decides not to try, which effects their development. 
• Prepared Environment - This is an important aspect of the Montessori theory. The rooms and equipment must be child sized and already set up in order to allow children to choose what they please. The environment must be colourful in order to attract children to work, this insinuates that Maria believes that the child is dependent on the environment that he or she is in.    
• Absorbent Mind - Children under 3 years old do not need to be taught, they are like a sponge and absorb everything in by experiencing it. Therefore, Maria believes that it is extremely important to create a safe, positive and colourful environment in order to nurture the child' learning. 

References 
http://montessori.org.au/montessori/biography.htm

http://www.montessorieducationuk.org/?q=who-was-maria-montessori/who-was-maria-montessori

http://www.montessori-namta.org/FAQ/Montessori-Education/How-many-Montessori-schools-are-there

http://www.dailymontessori.com/montessori-theory/