Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator, opened the first Casa Dei Bambini or children's house in 1907.  Through lectures and teachings Montessori told the world of educators to look at education a new way.  She demonstrated that children not only need their physical needs met but their mind and spirit most importantly.  In her years of observing children, Montessori designed a method using a "prepared environment" and the children's "sensitive periods" to guide the natural process of learning. 

"And so we discovered that education is not something which the teacher does, but that it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being.  It is not acquired by listening to words, but in virtue of experiences in which the child acts on his environment." -Maria Montessori (p. 8, The Absobent Mind)

Montessori taught teachers to be well prepared directress' paying attention to detail.  We as directress' create not only clean and inviting environments but keep them meticulously maintained and orderly as well.  As if a home not a classroom, harmony and joy throughout is seen and felt in a Montessori environment.  Observing became the principal tool for Directress' or "non-teachers" in creating special materials designed for each child in mind.  Materials are child sized, purposeful and speak to the child's interest.  Grace and courtesy are taught first along with caring for themselves and the environment.  Activities as simple as putting on a sock or opening a door for a friend are added to the language, math, geography and science lessons of the day.  Children are taken out into nature and taught many wonders the earth has to offer us.  Directress' make art, sculpture, animals and plants available to care for and appreciate.  Children gain independence and confidence teaching each other in a mixed classroom of ages three to six. 

 See more background information on Montessori Eduacation on our webresource and recommended reading pages.