Who Was Maria Montessori

Who was Maria Montessori.
Maria Montessori was a unique individual. Today many would describe her as a person who thinks outside the box, a pioneer in enabling children to learn through meaningful experiences. Maria Montessori was an individual way ahead of her time.
Maria was born to parents of educated middle class. Her father, Alessandro Montessori was a civil servant and former soldier. He had studied debate and mathematics. Her mother was Renilde Stoppani was unusually well educated and an avid reader. She was niece of the famous philosopher – scientist Antonio Stoppani. Maria Montessori herself was confident and strong minded, excelling in school. She was an only child filled with strong determination and love. Maria was born on August 31st, 1870 in Ancona, Italy. Maria grew up in a time when girls in Italy had just two career paths, to be either a teacher or a nun. Schools at this time were rigid, regimented and repressive and so this did not appeal to Maria Montessori. Her parents influenced her development greatly, although it was her mother’s constant questioning intellectualism that helped give Maria the intellectual and moral fibre to break out of the traditional mould of passive Italian womanhood.
At the age of six Maria started the local public elementary school. It was here that she became fascinated with mathematics and science. At the age of eleven Marias family moved to Rome where she would be suitably educated. Her father hoped she would study classics, which was considered the most suitable course for young ladies. But Maria had other ideas. At the age of thirteen she had chosen a course at a technical school. Her mother was very supportive of her while her father, more traditional and conservative, wanted his daughter to pursue teaching. Technical schools were usually available only to boys. Maria and one other girl were able to attend but were not allowed to go outside with the boys at recess. She graduated from college at sixteen and was...