27/08/2023
Ra Whānua Kia Koe Maria Montessori
On the 31st of August, we'll take a moment to pause and acknowledge the birthday of Maria Montessori (1870 – 1952) the founder of Montessori Education.
Maria Montessori was born in Chiaravalle, Italy in 1870. Breaking down conventional barriers from her very early years, Montessori was determined to enter the male-dominated sphere of medicine and become a doctor. After initially being refused entry due to her gender, Montessori became the first Italian woman to graduate as a Doctor from the University of Rome in 1896.
Soon after her medical career began, Montessori became involved with tamariki with learning disabilities. This work initiated a deep interest in education, philosophy and anthropology, which led her to develop a pedagogy that would assist tamariki of all abilities to achieve their full potential.
In 1907 opened her first Casa Dei Bambini “Children’s House,” where she applied her teaching principles with 50+ tamariki from the slums of San Lorenzo in Rome. By 1909, Montessori began her first training course, and published her first book, which has since been translated into more than 20 languages.
A period of rapid expansion of the Montessori Method followed, with Montessori schools springing to life across the globe. In 1947, Montessori addressed UNESCO with the theme of Education and Peace, and received a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1949. Montessori died in 1952 and bequeathed her legacy of work to her son Mario.
Glendowie Montessori Preschool are honoured to continue Maria Montessori’s legacy of education, inspiration, and determination. Happy Birthday to a remarkable woman whose legacy and life has changed the world!
(Courtesy of Montessori Academy, Australia and the hand drawn image courtesy of Jean at GMP)
