Today we celebrate the 150th birthday of Maria Montessori. While interested in many different issues, Montessori was especially passionate about the cause of the young child in Victorian England. She became familiar with the works of several French scientists and their work with children, translated their works and borrowed many of the materials, modifying them for use with children. Her studies in engineering, biology, medicine, psychiatry, psychology, anthropology, and philosophy presented her the opportunity to work with the poor children of the San Lorenzo district in Rome, Italy. Putting her years of research and study to good use, Montessori began teaching skills these children would use for everyday living and what would become the four areas of learning in the classroom: 1) Practical Life; 2) Sensorial area; 3) Mathematics; 4) Language.
We here at St. Catherine’s are fortunate to be the stewards of the life and work of Maria Montessori. She was energetic, determined, and passionate about her work, and was filled with a desire to learn about young children. To read more about the life and work of Maria Montessori, please follow this link.