author
Maria Montessori
1870–1952
A pioneering Italian physician and educator, she transformed early childhood learning by trusting children's curiosity, independence, and ability to grow through purposeful work. Her ideas became the foundation of the Montessori method, still used in classrooms around the world.
5 Audiobooks
Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook
by Maria Montessori
Pedagogical Anthropology
by Maria Montessori
The Montessori Method Scientific Pedagogy as Applied to Child Education in 'The Children's Houses' with Additions and Revisions by the Author
by Maria Montessori
Spontaneous Activity in Education
by Maria Montessori
The Montessori Elementary Material The Advanced Montessori Method
by Maria Montessori
About the author
Born in Chiaravalle, Italy, in 1870, Maria Montessori trained as a doctor at a time when very few women entered medicine. Her work with children, including those who had been underserved by traditional schooling, led her to study how young minds learn best through movement, attention, and hands-on experience.
In 1907 she opened the first Casa dei Bambini in Rome, where she developed the teaching approach that would carry her name. Instead of relying on strict lectures or rewards, Montessori emphasized carefully prepared environments, practical materials, and respect for each child's pace of development.
She went on to write, lecture, and train teachers internationally, helping spread the Montessori method far beyond Italy. By the time of her death in the Netherlands in 1952, she had become one of the most influential voices in modern education.