Maria Montessori thought a lot about kids. She was a teacher from Italy. Montessori wanted to make school better. She believed that giving kids freedom is the best way for them to learn.
Montessori was born in 1870. From a young age, Montessori was curious about learning. She went to school in Rome, Italy.
Montessori wanted to study medicine. She hoped to become a doctor. This was a bold choice. Medical schools at the time only gave spots to men. But Montessori didn’t give up. She enrolled in the University of Rome. She became one of the first women in Italy to study medicine. She graduated as one of Italy’s first female doctors in 1896.
Montessori’s work as a doctor led her to focus on the care and education of children, especially kids with special needs. She believed that children needed a environment to grow and learn.
In the late 1890s, Montessori began to with her ideas. She worked in a special school for children. The kids had issues. Montessori believed that with the right environment and activities, children could teach themselves. Her work led to the Montessori Method. This way of learning focuses on giving children freedom. It gives kids the tools to explore and learn at their own pace.
In 1907, Montessori opened her first school in Rome. The goal was to make an environment for children to grow. Instead of following the set lessons of a teacher, students could decide for themselves how to play and learn. And their progress was amazing — young kids were reading and writing at an age when most other children could not! Montessori’s approach quickly spread to other parts of Italy and the world.
Montessori’s work didn’t stop there. She traveled the world, training teachers and spreading her educational philosophy. Her books, including The Montessori Method, became popular. She believed in creating an environment where children could become free thinkers.
During World War II, Maria Montessori faced many challenges. She had to move due to the rise of . She later spent several years in India, where she continued to refine her ideas and work with teachers. She met with the leader Mahatma Gandhi. He influenced her thinking on peace and the connection of all living things.
Montessori died on May 6, 1952. She left behind a that continues to shape education today. The Montessori Method is now used in schools all over the world, helping children become curious and capable.
Montessori once wrote, “We have to ensure the child’s right and freedom to grow.”
By Ryan Cramer
Updated March 7, 2025, 5:00 P.M. (ET)
