Have you heard of Montessori schools? Do you see posts all over social media about how Montessori is being implemented at home? If you're not familiar with Montessori, you may be wondering what it is and why it's so popular. In this post, we'll explore the Montessori method and its origins, as well as its continued impact on education and child development today.
The Montessori method was founded by Dr Maria Montessori in 1907. Dr Montessori was Italy's first female doctor, but she had a passion for education and child development that led her to establish the first Casa dei Bambini, or Children's House, in the slums of Rome. Rather than relying on traditional teaching methods, Dr Montessori observed the children in her care and developed a child-centred approach to education based on her observations.
Dr Montessori's method focused on creating an environment and providing natural materials that allowed children to learn at their own pace and according to their own interests. She believed that children have an effortless ability to learn, and that the role of the teacher should be to guide, rather than direct, children's learning. Her approach emphasised hands-on learning and encouraged children to explore and discover on their own.
Dr Montessori's novel approach to education quickly gained international attention and led to the development of Montessori schools around the world. She became a sought-after international speaker and developed training courses to guide the proliferation of Montessori schools.
Today, the Montessori method continues to gain momentum, not only in schools but in homes all around the world. Many parents are implementing Montessori principles in their homes, creating child-centred environments that encourage their children's natural curiosity and desire to learn.
Interesting facts - Montessori in Australia:
- Montessori seeds were first planted in Australia in 1913 by four Australian teachers who attended Montessori’s first training course in Rome.
- Dr Maria Montessori's teaching methods were formalised in 1929 through the Association Montessori Internationale to guide the proliferation of Montessori schools opening around the world. But it wasn’t until the 1970’s that the Montessori method really took root in Australia, during a time of instability in the field of education when traditional approaches were being questioned and reshaped.
