The purpose of our school is to aid and accelerate the process of self-education by providing an environment designed to encourage the child's independent effort. Our primary goals are to build self-confidence and independence, to develop concentration and to nourish the love of learning.
Maria Montessori is regarded as one of the world's most outstanding educators and psychologists. She was born in Italy in 1870 and against all traditions began, at age thirteen, to attend a boys' technical school in preparation for her dream of being an engineer. After seven years of engineering she began premed and became the first female doctor in Italy.
In her work at the University of Rome's psychiatric clinic, Dr. Montessori developed an interest in the treatment of children, and for several years, wrote and spoke on their behalf. She based her conclusions on the direct observation of children, accepted no preconceived opinions or theories about their abilities and did not attempt to manipulate their behavior toward any end. She constantly experimented and developed materials based on the needs, interests, and developing abilities of children.
 At age twenty-eight, she became the director of a school for 'unhappy little ones' which she called mentally disabled children. She spent eleven hours a day at the school, and late into the night at home, working on this project.
After two years under her guidance, these children, who formerly had been considered uneducable, took a school examination along with normal children and passed successfully. Educators called Dr. Montessori a miracle worker. What was her response? If mentally disabled children could be brought to the level of normal children, Dr. Montessori wanted to study the potential of "normal" children.
She went back to school to study anthropology and psychology and finally, in 1907, received the chance to intensively study normal children. She was asked to take charge of fifty children from the dirty, desolate streets of the San Lorenzo slum in the city of Rome. |
