Abigale, Anna, Abbey, and Kaycie

Sherrell

Funds of education

2 April 2018

Maria Montessori

Maria Montessori was an Italian educator and physician. Maria was the originator of the

Montessori method of education for children. She became interested in mathematics,

engineering, and technology at the age of 12. Maria’s interest led her to enroll in a technical

institute at the age of 14. Maria decided to study medicine when she became interested in

biology. The first appointment Maria had was as an assistant doctor in the psychiatric clinic of

the University of Rome. With this appointment, Maria was in contact with mentally challenged

children. Maria was convinced that the problem of handling these children was as much one of

instructional method as of medical treatment. In 1898, Montessori was appointed director of the

State Orthophrenic School in Rome, the function was to care for mentally challenged students. In

1901, Maria left the school to further studies and research. In 1906, the Italian government put

Maria in charge of a state-supported slum school in San Lorenzo quarter of Rome that had 60

children (ages 3-6). Since Maria had success with the mentally challenged students, she decided

to use the same educational methods with these students. Montessori’s view of the nature of the

child, children go through series of “sensitive periods” with “creative moments”. Maria believes

these moments should be utilized to the fullest so children learn as much as possible. Montessori

saw self discipline as something that emerges as a result of natural law. Montessori impacted

schools because her system has been translated into 20 languages, helps handicapped children,
and is used in private schools. The Montessori method also helps students who are

homeschooled.