Dr. Maria Montessori remembered

by Sr. M. Lourdes Paiva RGS

"Through the study of children I have scrutinised human nature at its origin, both in the East and West and childhood still seems to be a source of hope." Maria Montessori. Maria Montessori was born in 1870 in Italy. She began her professional life not as an Educator but as a Doctor of Medicine. Her growing commitment to Education made her undertake further studies in Education, Philosophy, Psychology and Anthropology.

In 1907 she undertook the responsibility for underprivileged children in the San Lorenzo quarter of Rome, thus the First Children's House came into existence. The children revealed surprising results and were even capable of concentrated work. They soon became independent as they were left free to carry out spontaneous activities and developed the power to choose and repeat.

The "Casa dei banbini" of San Lorenzo soon became world famous. People began talking of 'New Children' 'Miracle children'. 'Requests came from all over the world, USA, UK, Germany, France, Holland, India, Sri Lanka. Montessori schools sprang up everywhere and Training Courses were given.

Dr. Maria Montessori published a series of books covering the importance of early Childhood Education, Sensitive Periods in development, the Absorbent Mind and started designing many materials as teaching aids for the pre-school and older children. Her method was based on Observation.

She discovered the importance of the Child's potential to absorb everything that the environment offers and placed great importance in its preparation where obstacles were removed to enable the child to work at his normalization with the help of a Trained Adult.

As a token of gratitude and appreciation, the Montessori Training Centre will celebrate the birthday of this great Educationist on August 31 at 3.00 p. m., in the Convent Chapel with Rev. Fr. Felician Perera, Parish Priest of Borella being the celebrant.