Waterford Today, Waterford, Ireland

Celebrating 100 years of Montessori

2007 is a very special year for the Montessori world as we are celebrating the centenary of the first Montessori school (Casa dei Bambini – House of Children), which opened in Rome on January 6th, 1907.

Many people today are familiar with the term “Montessori” and can associate it with early childhood education. However they may not be sure where the term actually comes from.
Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was in fact an Italian medical doctor. She was the first female to graduate from the Rome University Medical School and initially worked with intellectually disadvantaged children in institutions void of stimulation and daily experience. Her experiences there encouraged her to move into the realm of education and develop methods of teaching and learning that were applicable to all children.
Her research highlighted a number of factors that have become established in modern teaching practice:
• Children learn at different paces
• Achievement builds confidence
• Learning is a process of discovery
• Freedom of movement and freedom to explore is essential to stimulate a child’s mind.
Dr Maria Montessori believed that a truly educated individual continues learning long after the hours and years spent in the classroom because he is motivated from within by a natural curiosity and love of learning.
Although mostly associated with early childhood education, the system has in fact been developed through primary and up into post-primary education.
In the Waterford area, 2 schools are registered with the Association of A.M.I. Teachers (Ireland) and accredited by the Irish Montessori Education Board.
• Tír na nÓg Montessori School, 2 King Street Upper, Abbeyside, Dungarvan. Tel: (058) 43489. Directress: Siobhán Buckley.
• Park Montessori School, 22 Sylvan Drive, Grantstown Park, Dunmore Road, Waterford. Tel: (051) 858151. Directress: Ruth White.

Comment:The Question is would Maria Montessori recognize her project in Montessori schools today?