The "Montessori method" developed from the work
of Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900's, from her efforts
to scientifically study the child's true nature. She observed
children free to engage in activities of their own choice in
a well-ordered physical environment. In 1907, she discovered
that young children under these circumstances return to a normal
state of being in harmony with their entire environment. She
observed that these "normalized" children show such
qualities as spontaneous self-discipline, love of order and
concentrated attention and interest to intellectual activity.
Montessori teaching today aims to duplicate the first environment
of Dr. Montessori, by following such laws of nature as:
These three Montessori principles guide the teacher to "control
the environment, not the child"; to look at the child as
an "unknown entity" and allow his/her true nature
to freely emerge. Montessori teaching is therefore a way of
being committed to these three fundamental laws of nature. This
special way of being allows the child to freely emerge according
to his/her own true nature; his/her"normalized" being.
Montessori teacher education is an "inner preparation"
to become aware of these principles so that they can be put
into practice with children. The idea of "control the environment,
not the child" must be employed, and this requires a particular
care in controlling one's own "personality"....