A little about Montessori….
Maria Montessori was a remarkable woman who left a significant mark on the world of education. Born in Italy in 1870, Montessori was one of the first female physicians in the country and went on to develop a unique and ground-breaking educational approach known as the Montessori method. This week we are honouring her legacy because of the enduring influence her work has had on education and child development.
One of the key reasons we celebrate Maria Montessori is her dedication to promoting child-centered learning. Montessori believed that children are naturally curious and motivated to learn, and that they learn best when given the freedom to explore and discover on their own. Her approach emphasized creating a prepared environment that allowed children to learn through hands-on experiences and encouraged independence and self-motivation.
Montessori’s approach was not only innovative but also effective. Over the years, studies have shown that the Montessori method can have a significant impact on children’s academic achievement, as well as their social and emotional development. Montessori classrooms have been shown to promote self-discipline, creativity, and problem-solving skills, and to foster a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
We also celebrate Maria Montessori for her dedication to promoting peace and social justice. Montessori believed that education could be a powerful tool for promoting peace and understanding among people of different cultures and backgrounds. She worked tirelessly throughout her life to promote peace education and to advocate for the rights of children.
Finally, we celebrate Maria Montessori because of her ground-breaking contributions to the field of education. Montessori’s ideas were ahead of their time and challenged traditional approaches to education. Her approach has inspired educators around the world to think differently about how they teach and how they design learning environments. Today, there are Montessori schools in over 100 countries, and the Montessori method continues to influence educational practices around the world.
Maria Montessori was a visionary who made significant contributions to the field of education. Her dedication to promoting child-centered learning, social justice, and peace education has had a lasting impact on generations of children and educators around the world. For this reason, we continue to celebrate her legacy and draw inspiration from her ideas and teachings in our modern times.
How We are Celebrating at MSK….
This year, MSK is celebrating Montessori Education week by participating in a school wide hunt for Maria Montessori. The name of the game is “Where is Maria?”! Pictures of Maria Montessori have been placed throughout the school for children to detect. These photographs are accompanied with fun and educational facts about Montessori’s life. Students will have the opportunity to look for Maria and learn about her life and work through this fun game.
In class, teachers have also planned various activities about the life and works of Maria Montessori, to share with their students.
At MSK, we believe it is important to continue the mission and message that Dr. Maria Montessori shared. In the words of Maria Montessori herself, “An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking; it involves the spiritual development of man, the enhancement of his value as an individual, and the preparation of young people to understand the times in which they live. The child seeks independence by means of work; an independence of body and mind.”
Happy Montessori Education Week!
