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BIRTH TO THREE - MONTESSORI INFORMATION
Dr. Maria Montessori, MD
Maria Montessori was always a little ahead of her time. She was
born in Italy in 1870, and in 1896, became the first female
doctor in Italy. Dr. Montessori based her work on the direct
observation of children. She accepted no preconceived opinions
or theories about their abilities, nor did she attempt to
manipulate their behavior by reward or punishments toward any
end. She constantly
experimented and developed materials based
on the interests, needs, and developing abilities of children.
Educators called Dr. Montessori a miracle worker.
Like others I had believed that it was necessary to encourage a
child by means of some exterior reward that would flatter his
baser sentiments, such as gluttony, vanity, or self-love, in
order to foster in him a spirit of work and peace. And I was
astonished when I learned that a child who is permitted to
educate himself really gives up these lower instincts. I then
urged the teachers to cease handing out the ordinary prizes and
punishments, which were no longer suited to our children, and to
confine themselves to directing them gently in their work. -
Dr. Montessori
Invited to the USA by Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, and
others, Dr. Montessori made an appearance at Carnegie Hall in
New York by 1915. The following is a letter from this period,
from Alexander Graham Bell: Dear Dr. Montessori, On behalf of
the Montessori Educational Association of America I have the
honor to inform you that we have elected you as its first
Honorary member and to express to you in this way our deep
appreciation of your great work for humanity.
The Montessori 0-3 Program
Over fifty years ago Dr. Montessori realized that working with
children older than three was too late to have the most
beneficial effect on the life of a human, and she initiated what
was to become a two-year, full-time, course for adults living or
working with children from birth to three years of age.
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