When my eldest son rallied against his mainstream education in second grade, I was forced to find an alternative solution.
And so I did.
Driven by my maternal need to see my child happy and thriving, I researched our available options and eventually settled on a Montessori school.
Montessori schools do not follow traditional teaching models and are renowned for developing independent thinkers who enjoy what will become their lifelong learning journey.
Now eleven, my son is becoming the best version of himself, with thanks to his new school and the vision of this woman …
Today (31 August 2020), on what would have been Maria Montessori’s 150th birthday, I’d like to celebrate the Italian doctor, educator and visionary by sharing three quotes, which for me, sum up her child-centred approach to education.
The child is not an empty being who owes whatever he knows to us who have filled him up with it. No, the child is the builder of man. There is no man existing who has not been formed by the child he once was.
– Maria Montessori
One test of the correctness of educational procedure is the happiness of the child.
– Maria Montessori
The greatest sign of success for a teacher… is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.’
– Maria Montessori
Those who owe their education to this remarkable woman’s vision include self-directed self-starters like the world-famous cook, Julia Child, holocaust author, Anne Frank, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Nobel-Prize-winning novelist, Gabriel Garcia Marquez. And of course, now, my two boys.
Written by Melissa Fagan, freelance content writer and editor
I help traditional and digital publishers deliver engaging and informative content that resonates with their readers. Internationally qualified writer and editor with 14 years’ publishing experience.
Email me: melissa.fagan@mfedit.com
Let’s Connect
If you enjoyed reading this post, please share it with your networks. I’d also love to hear your thoughts, so leave a comment below.