Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator who started her first classroom in Rome in 1907, developed the Montessori method based on her scientific observations of children’s natural learning processes. The method gained popularity in the U.S. in the 1950s through Nancy Rambusch, who introduced it as an alternative to the traditional education system. Today, there are over 3,000 Montessori schools in the U.S. and more than 15,000 worldwide. Montessori schools focus on hands-on, child-centered learning using specially designed materials, emphasizing direct experience over external rewards. The method fosters independent learning by allowing children to choose their own learning paths within a carefully prepared environment.
Montessori Schools are Everywhere. But What Does Montessori Actually Mean?
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