Thus, just three months after the first Casa dei Bambini opened in 1907, a second was launched and headed by Maria Montessori. For this newer Casa dei Bambini, Montessori declared her broad view of education as being a crucial social responsibility: one that could transform society by minimizing class conflict and gender inequality (Kramer & Freud 1988)
Montessori valued empirical evidence and yet her methods were initially regarded as experimental both in Europe and in the United States. Her methods have been "criticized for being too structured and academically demanding," and yet she documented her successes in books like the Montessori Method ("Maria Montessori 1870-1952" nd)
Yet in the United States, the Montessori method became marginalized and restricted to private school settings. The Montessori method "appealed only to middle-class white families in the States," and was considered "radical and elitist," likely because the method was not incorporated into public school systems (Matthews 2007)
Eventually she would lead teaching seminars in South Asia as well as in the Americas. When Mussolini took power, he initiated a partnership with Montessori and hoped to "capture publicity" for the regime by naming Montessori as "Italy's children's ambassador to the world," (Zimmerman & Schunk 2003, p
Like Montessori, Ghandi believed in learning through experience. Ghandi and Montessori shared philosophies on experiential learning as well as the use of the culture and environment to enhance the learning experience (Bhavnagri 159)
Montessori was indeed a welcome visitor. In fact, "Indian leaders of the stature of Gandhi and Tagore were friendly to Montessori and believed her methods could be of great use in their country, and leaders of the Theosophical Society had expressed interest in establishing a Montessori training center in India" (Kramer 340)
Montessori believed that in order to achieve peace, it must be taught and actively promoted. In her book Education and Peace, Montessori expressed the following sentiments: "Peace is a goal that can only be attained through common accord, and the means to achieve this unity for peace are twofold: first, an immediate effort to resolve conflicts without recourse to violence -in other words, to prevent war -and second, a long-term effort to establish a lasting peace among men"(Montessori 27)
The integrity of these stages must be respected, and a child must not be rushed from one phase into the next, as he or she will not have the cognitive capacity to cope with the added demands before he or she is prepared. "Localized states of maturity must first be established" (Montessori, 1985, p
While he is developing, he perfects himself and overcomes every obstacle that he finds in his path. A vital force is active within him, and this guides his efforts towards their goals" (Montessori, 1967)
While he is developing, he perfects himself and overcomes every obstacle that he finds in his path. A vital force is active within him, and this guides his efforts towards their goals" (Montessori, 1967)
While he is developing, he perfects himself and overcomes every obstacle that he finds in his path. A vital force is active within him, and this guides his efforts towards their goals" (Montessori, 1967)
1-384). Discussion According to Montessori, "Children, as adults, also have different ways of tackling problems and dealing with challenging situations (Montessori, 1984, 1-384)
1-384). Discussion According to Montessori, "Children, as adults, also have different ways of tackling problems and dealing with challenging situations (Montessori, 1984, 1-384)
1-384). Discussion According to Montessori, "Children, as adults, also have different ways of tackling problems and dealing with challenging situations (Montessori, 1984, 1-384)
1-384). Discussion According to Montessori, "Children, as adults, also have different ways of tackling problems and dealing with challenging situations (Montessori, 1984, 1-384)
1-384). Discussion According to Montessori, "Children, as adults, also have different ways of tackling problems and dealing with challenging situations (Montessori, 1984, 1-384)
Montessori's stages covered the ages from zero to six years, six to twelve years and twelve to eighteen years. For her, the purpose of education was to aid young children to develop their fullest potential through their own efforts (Standing 1998, p
" Dr. Maria Montessori Maria Montessori was an Italian doctor who worked among the socially and intellectually handicapped children in Rome at the start of 20th century (Kramer 1988, p
Montessori eschewed traditional gender roles by entering a technical school at age thirteen, and subsequently went on to study medicine. Her interest in the sciences was discouraged by her father but encouraged by her mother, who was a "well educated, wealthy woman devoted to liberation and unity of Italy," (Flaherty)
In addition to using case studies and qualitative research, Montessori also relies on powerful rhetoric to persuade readers of the ineffectiveness of traditional educational methods. For example, in one section of The Montessori Method, the author refers to the "principle of slavery" that still informs the traditional school (Montessori)