"A woman who revolutionized the educational system of the world...the woman who taught the idiot and the insane to read and write--whose success has been so wonderful that the Montessori method has spread into nation after nation as far east as Korea, as far west as Honolulu and south to the Argentine Republic.” - (R.Kramer, 1988, p.14)
The first school established in Rome named "casa dei Bambini" meaning "The children's house" and originally looked like a normal classroom that included desks, chairs and a blackboard. Over time, Montessori observed the children's behaviour and decided that she would create her own way of teaching the children, through toys and resources she created herself. Eventually she got rid of the textbook style teaching that was being taught during these times, and replaced them with objects that interested the children, teaching them in a way they wanted to learn. The school educated the child in a different way to other schools, and focuses more on teaching the pupil as an individual rather than a group, and aims to nurture each pupils skills through the use of games and 'intellectual exercises' (Short lessons taught by an educator, with plenty of rests for the children). The games were sometimes directed by the teacher, but often were child initiated, children were given the freedom to choose what they wanted to learn and what they would use in the classroom, It is an effective way to encourage children to think for themselves and think independently.
The importance of the environment was stressed by Montessori schools. The typical of a Montessori classroom encourages children to explore their surroundings, and interact with each other as much as possible, promoting communication and self discipline. The teachers are trained to work with each pupil and recognize their level and potential, they see education and their skills as something to be nurtured, and acts as someone who intervenes only when they need to, recognizing that the child can complete tasks for themselves.
