Where it all began.

Maria Montessori was an Italian physician and educator, and a noted humanitarian best known for the philosophy of education, which bears her name. Her educational method is in use today in public and private schools worldwide. Maria Montessori was born in Chiaravalle, Italy, on August 31, 1870.

She graduated from medical school in 1896 and became one of the first female physicians in Italy. While working as a medical doctor, her observations led her to analyze how children learn. She recognized that children are a product of their environment and strived to understand more. She returned to school in 1901 to study psychology and philosophy. Upon graduation, Maria Montessori began teaching Anthropology at the University of Rome, but her desire to work with children was so great that she gave up her university position and medical practice to work in the San Lorenzo district of Rome with a group of 60 children of working parents.

On January 6, 1907, Maria Montessori founded the first Casa Dei Bambini, or “Children’s House,” and began developing the Montessori Method of education. The Montessori method of teaching is based on Maria Montessori’s scientific observations of the children at Casa Dei Bambini.

Maria Montessori deduced that children teach themselves through tireless manipulation of materials and absorb information constantly. This motivated her lifelong pursuit of educational reform, teaching, and educator training.