Who is Maria Montessori ?

"As Italy's first woman doctor and early advocate of children's rights, Maria Montessori developed a philosophy of education based on respect for the child and his needs.  She believed that the pre-school years, when a child is developing his concept of himself, are fundamental to his future fulfillment. " 1  "Before anyone can assume...responsibility, he must be convinced that he is master of his own actions and have confidence in himself."2 

"Of course most modern systems of education share this same basic assumption.  However, in 1907, when she began the daycare center in Rome, the importance of the preschool years for cognitive development was not generally recognized.  Many of her ideas have become so common-place--child-sized furniture, for example--that we lose sight of prophetic nature of many of her insights.  The open classroom, multi-aging, individualized instruction, programmed learning, and the use of para professionals have only recently come into their own.  The materials Montessori designed for the children she worked with have stood the test of time, and versions of them are now found in many preschools."3