The Founder of the Montessori Educational Movement

Maria Montessori, born in 1870, was the first woman in Italy to receive a medical degree. She worked in the fields of psychiatry, education and anthropology. She believed that each child is born with a unique potential to be revealed, rather than as a "blank slate" waiting to be written upon. Her main contributions to the work of those of us raising and educating children are in these areas:

• Preparing the most natural and life-supporting environments for the child
• Observing the child living freely in this environment
• Continually adapting the environment in order that the child may fulfill his or her greatest potential, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Suggested Readings:

• “The Discovery of the Child” by Maria Montessori
• “The Secret of Childhood” by Maria Montessori
• “Maria Montessori: Her Life and Work” by E.M. Standing

Association Montessori International (AMI)

Prior to 1952, the "Montessori community" consisted essentially of Dr. Montessori's personal communication and relationships established and maintained through her various travels and teacher education activities in Italy, England, Spain, Holland, India and elsewhere. In the 1920's, the "Association Montessori International" (AMI) was established by Dr. Montessori to protect and promote the name of "Montessori". The AMI provided certification of teachers, copyright control of her published writings and coordination of the activities of various regional "Montessori" organizations. Dr. Montessori placed authority and control of this organization in the hands of her son, Mario Montessori, who continued in this capacity until his death in 1982. Thereafter, AMI has continued active as a support organization by receiving royalties for Dr. Montessori's published writings, collecting fees for AMI certification and training of teachers - and otherwise providing school recognition and services for its membership.   Its philosophical orientation and practical functioning is closely associated with the person of Dr. Montessori herself, and the personal relationships that developed with those most close to her during her life.