Children’s House in Rome was the first Montessori school developed in 1907 by Dr Maria Montessori. Montessori is a method of education that is based on self-direct activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. The Montessori method was developed through observation of the child, with individualised needs of each child as a primary focus. Montessori education encourages children to explore their world, and to understand and respect the life forms, systems and forces of which it consists.
In Montessori classrooms children work in groups or individually to discover and explore knowledge of the world and to develop their maximum potential. The children make creative choices in their learning, while the classroom and the highly trained teacher offer age-appropriate activities to guide the process. Montessori classrooms at all levels nurture each child’s individual strengths and interests. Montessori classrooms have a distinguished look for other classes as it displays Montessori materials which are carefully designed using real life materials such as wood, cloth or even glass.
Today Montessori schools are found throughout the world and may go through high-school level. Still, Montessori preschools are more common than Montessori schools and the Montessori principles can also be easily adapted in a home setting