“Education is not a preparation for life, it is life itself.”

John Dewey

Maria Montessori, Italy's "first female doctor," was born in 1870. She realized that babies are born with incredible potential and that with proper guidance from the adults around us in the early years of our lives, we can develop this potential. She observed, believed, and implemented her ideas by establishing a Casa de Bambini (Children's House) in the suburbs of Rome. Through the methods she applied to irregular, impatient, and angry children, these children became diligent, kind, and graceful individuals.

As she spent time with children, she further developed her observations and saw that children go through various stages of development. She noticed that children develop their own ways of thinking and behaving at each stage and that their preferences change accordingly. She pondered on how to create environments that encourage children to develop independent behavior and thinking. She foresaw that she could increase their potential for exploration and learning with the materials she developed. Thus, she believed that their self-confidence would also increase. As she saw that the free working/learning environment she created for them contributed to their potential, she understood that she was on the right path.

When the first Casa de Bambini gained worldwide fame, Madam Montessori also gained international respect. She set aside her career as a doctor and devoted all her energy to spreading her schools. She passed away in 1952.