What is Montessori?

The Montessori Method, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, is a child-centered approach to education based on scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood. With over 100 years of success across diverse cultures, the method views children as naturally eager to learn and capable of initiating their own learning within a supportive, thoughtfully prepared environment.

It emphasizes the development of the whole child—physical, social, emotional, and cognitive—and considers education as an “aid to life,” aiming to ignite a lifelong love of learning.Montessori believes that children pass through distinct developmental phases, each with unique needs, and the transitions between these phases are like “rebirths,” as she wrote in Maria Montessori, Citizen of the World. The method fosters an Education for Peace that spans from birth through adulthood.

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Who is Montessori

Maria Montessori (1870-1952), the first woman to practice medicine in Italy, developed the Montessori Method based on her observations of children’s development. Her scientific background and study of children from various cultures led her to realize the importance of the child’s interaction with their environment in shaping their personality. Dr. Montessori’s work highlighted the universal laws of human development, and she continued her observations until her death in 1952.

Her son, Mario Montessori (1898-1982), deeply involved in his mother’s work, collaborated with her from a young age. He played a key role in developing educational materials and training teachers, particularly focusing on the concept of cosmic education for children aged 6-12. As president of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) from 1952 until his death, Mario ensured the preservation and global spread of the Montessori Method.

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History that began

Montessori education in India has a rich history that began in the early 20th century. In 1912, Saraladevi Sarabhai, inspired by Maria Montessori's philosophy, first encountered her work while traveling to England. This sparked a lifelong dedication to spreading Montessori principles in India.

Montessori Society Established

In 1921, Saraladevi and her husband Ambalal Sarabhai met E. M. Standing, who had studied Montessori's method in Italy. In 1929, the Indian Montessori Society was established, highlighting the need for trained teachers and rural education.

The first AMI course

Maria Montessori herself arrived in India in 1939 at the invitation of G. S. Arundale and Rukmini Devi. The first AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) course was held in Adyar, and a number of Indian educators, including Gool Minwalla and Tehmina Wadia, were trained. The subsequent decades saw an increasing number of AMI courses held across India in cities like Madras, Kodaikanal, and Ahmedabad, and Montessori education flourished.

The Montessori Movement

By the 1950s, India was a hub for Montessori training, with figures like Tehmina Wadia founding Besant Montessori School in Mumbai in 1948. The Montessori movement expanded throughout the country, with multiple courses offered every year, and the establishment of Montessori schools in cities like Bangalore, Delhi, and Chennai.

India became a leading center for Montessori education

In 1970, the centenary celebrations of Dr. Montessori’s birth were marked in India, with a special event held in New Delhi, attended by President V. V. Giri. Over the years, AMI training programs continued to evolve, and India became a leading center for Montessori education. As the 21st century approached, India continued to celebrate its deep connection to Montessori education, with international conferences and courses remaining a key part of the educational landscape.