Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was one of the most important early childhood educators of the twentieth century. She was the innovator of classroom practice and ideas which have had a profound influence on education of young children the world over. She gave the children of the world a precious gift — a new kind of education. She was destined to do great things and she did.

Headstrong and smart, Maria defied almost every rule of her society. At age 12, she insisted on attending a boy's technical school to study math and science. She became the first woman to enroll in the University of Rome's Medical School to study math and science, which led her to become the first Italian woman to graduate and become a Doctor. She earned awards, scholarships, and the highest test scores of her class.

Dr. Montessori became interested in education through her work as a Doctor treating what is known today as children with "special needs." When she went on to establish Montessori Schools for the disadvantaged children of working parents in Rome, she approached their education as a scientist, using the classroom as her laboratory for observing children and finding ways to help them to achieve their full potential. It soon became apparent that Dr. Montessori had developed a highly effective method of teaching which could be used with great success for each and every child.

Montessori began to travel the world establishing schools — training teachers in her methods and giving lectures about her discoveries.

She often spoke on behalf of the International Peace Movement, and was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 1974. She always knew that peace was a prerequisite for the children of the earth to develop their full potential.

Dr. Montessori has written numerous books and many articles right up to her death in Holland in 1952, at the age of 82. Dr. Montessori left to the world the legacy of a method of education, which combines a philosophy of freedom and self-development for children with a practical approach.

Her Children's house, as she called her schools, provided a safe, carefully planned, and structured environment for children to work in. She believed that all children want to learn and can absorb knowledge without effort, if they are given the right activities at the right time of development by teachers who are trained to observe carefully and respond to their individual needs.

Our philosophy is one of respect and care for all children, and is practiced in all classrooms here at Rainbow Montessori School.

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• What makes Montessori Education Unique?
  The "whole child" approach. The primary goal of a Montessori program is to help each child reach full potential in all areas of life. Activities promote the development of social skills, emotional growth, and physical coordination as well as cognitive preparation. The holistic curriculum, under the direction of a specially prepared teacher (Directress), allows the child to experience the joy of learning, time to enjoy the process and insure the development of self-esteem, and provides the experiences from which children create their knowledge.

• What happens when a child leaves Montessori?
  Montessori children are unusually adaptable. They have learned to work independently and in groups. Since they have been encouraged to make decisions from an early age, these children are problem-solvers who can make choices and manage their time well.
  
  They have also been encouraged to exchange ideas and to discuss their work freely with others. These good communication skills ease the way in new settings.
  
  Research has shown that the best predictor of future success is a sense of self-esteem. Rainbow Montessori programs, based on self-directed, non-competitive activities, help children develop good self-images and the confidence to face challenges and change with optimism.

• Can you remember the pleasure of learning something new and doing it over and over again?
  Repetition is an important way through which your child learns. Quite naturally, he often repeats some activity many times. In this way, he can master it. He also repeats things because they are so new and interesting to him. He is fascinated by the fact that he can do it, that he is making something happen, that he can control the world around him.

• When is my child normalized?
  The basic goal of the Montessori Method is "normalization" of the child so that he becomes well-balanced, spontaneous and able to utilize his capabilities to the fullest. Some of the characteristics of such a child are the following:

• Ability to concentrate well
• Sense of personal dignity
• Independence
• Self-motivation
• Love of order
• Enjoyment of repetition
• Ability to work alone
• Self discipline
• Desire for freedom of choice
• Pleasure and fulfillment in work for its own sake; no need for rewards or punishment
• Obedience
• Preference for work over play
• Love of learning

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• Montessori a Modern Approach, by Paula Polk Lillard
• Dr. Montessori Own Handbook, by Dr. Maria Montessori
• The Discovery of the Child, by Dr. Maria Montessori
• Parent Effectiveness Training, by Dr. Thomas Gordon
• Your Child's Self Esteem, by Dorothy Corkille Briggs
• How to Discipline With Love, by Dr. Fitzhugh Dadson
• Montessori: Her Life and Work, by E.M. Standing
• To Educate the Human Potential, by Dr. Maria Montessori
• The Absorbent Mind, by Dr. Maria Montessori
• The Secret of Childhood, by Dr. Maria Montessori
• Children: The Challenge, by Rudolf Dreikurs
• A Parent's Guide to the Montessori Classroom, by Aline D. Wolf
• Teaching Montessori in The Home, by Elizabeth G. Hainstock

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