Maria Montessori changed the landscape of childhood education with the opening of the first Casa dei Bambini in Rome in 1907. This marked a significant shift, as the approach was not rooted in theory but in practical experience.
Montessori revolutionized the education system by putting the child at the center of the process, creating a transformative impact. She introduced new materials to encourage self-learning and believed that if anything needed to change, it should be the school, adapting it to the child's world.
Following the Montessori Method, children develop in a carefully prepared environment, focusing on principles like autonomy, independence, and self-discipline. Montessori aimed to provide each child with the opportunity to develop their abilities, fostering balanced and independent individuals.
Despite facing challenges due to her innovative ideas, Montessori had to leave fascist Italy in 1933. The totalitarian system clashed with her vision of education as a means to promote independent thinking, turning young minds into instruments of war rather than peace.
During her exile in Spain, the Netherlands, and India, Montessori developed training programs for new teachers and delved into educational issues related to peace. Her work earned her three Nobel Peace Prize nominations. Upon returning to Italy in 1947, Montessori, already globally recognized, focused on reorganizing schools and deepening her understanding of childhood.
María Montessori passed away on May 6, 1952, at the age of eighty-two in the Netherlands. Her lifetime was dedicated to advocating for children, breaking barriers as the first woman to obtain a Doctor of Medicine degree in Italy. Her legacy for the 21st century lies in her unwavering commitment to scientific inquiry and her enduring quest to understand the secrets of childhood.
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