Upon graduating from medical school in 1896, Maria Montessori became one of Italy's first female physicians. Initially focusing on psychiatry, Dr. Montessori's academic focus gradually shifted to education.
Maria's observations of the era's dominant educational methods led her to question whether the default approach to educating children was the most effective. In 1907, Dr. Montessori gained the opportunity to put her theories to the test when she opened the first Casa dei Bambini in San Lorenzo, one of the poorest districts in Rome.
The initial approaches that Dr. Maria Montessori took in San Lorenzo compose the basic framework of today's modern Montessori method. By carefully observing the behavior of children, Dr. Montessori discovered, it's possible to construct educational environments that accommodate their natural inclinations toward learning.
Montessori classrooms feature organized, calm environments and child-sized furniture such as miniature desks, chairs, and shelves. Children are encouraged to do as much for themselves as they can, whether it's engaging with toys or making healthy snacks.