Three- to six-year-olds are marvelous little people! They are curious and studious, loving and oftentimes quite independent. Meeting their needs requires a rich environment where they can feel safe and loved as well as challenged to explore their world. Surprising ability to concentrate Children of this age have a surprising ability to concentrate. Maria Montessori […]

For many children, these years from six to twelve are the glory years–a time of calm and steady growth and expansion of interests. At approximately six to seven years of age, children experience a major transformation. This transformation leads from the sponge-like absorbent mind of early childhood to the reasoning, thinking adult mind. This is […]

Children from three to six years are in a dynamic, expansive time of growth. Montessori’s first educational experiments were with this age group and there are more Montessori schools for this age than for any other. Montessori observed that, like a sponge, the child readily absorbs what his environment offers him during these years. It […]

Maria Montessori identified the primary sensitive periods for the birth to three-year-olds to be movement, language, orientation to the environment and order. Development of Movement Movement and physical development have specific sensitive periods. Birth to age four is the crucial time. Movement starts early in the womb, beginning in the seventh week, peaking at fifteen […]

Montessori for Infants and Toddlers is a growing movement in homes and in schools. One- to three-year-old children enjoy and are capable of successfully participating in a large variety of Montessori-like lessons that are developmentally appropriate for their age and ability level. These activities can be offered in your home or in a Montessori center. […]

Do babies learn before they are born? A parent once asked Maria Montessori, “When do you say education begins?” Her answer was immediate and clear. “Children begin to learn nine months before they are born.” Science is finally catching up to Montessori’s understanding. Over­whelm­ing evidence, such as that found in Thomas Verney’s remarkable book, The […]

Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was the first woman physician and surgeon in Italy, a fervent believer in equal opportunity for women and a champion of the rights of children. She is best known for founding a comprehensive system of education, called the Montessori Method. She repeatedly said that she had not discovered a method of education, […]