Dr. Maria Montessori (1870–1952), Italy's first female physician, turned to education after her medical career. Her perspective was always shaped by her medical training: she always placed the child at the center. Rigid curricula or learning objectives were not crucial, but rather individual development and the question of what support a child needs in their particular life situation. Together with her son Mario, she developed a pedagogy that is still successfully used worldwide today.
Central Principles of Montessori Education
Montessori education is based on several clear cornerstones:
- The Child at the Center: Learning is based on the child's developmental stage, not on rigid curricula.
- Prepared Environment: Furniture, materials, and structures are precisely tailored to the children's needs.
- Independence & Freedom: Children decide what, how long, where and with whom they work.
- Movement & Sensory Experience: Learning occurs through the head, heart, and hand – movement is inextricably linked to thinking.
- Social Learning: Mixed-age groups promote mutual learning and consideration.
- Cosmic Education: Children experience the world as a whole – nature, culture, and responsibility for our planet belong together.
Montessori Developmental Stages
Maria Montessori distinguished four developmental stages, each requiring its own pedagogical approaches and materials:
- 0–3 years – Toddlers (nursery, "Nido")
- 3–6 years – Children's Home
- 6–12 years – Elementary School Age
- 12–18 years – Adolescents ("Earth Children's Plan")
Each stage requires a specially prepared environment and specific materials that capture and encourage children's natural curiosity.
Materials play a crucial role in all developmental phases. They are carefully designed, have a permanent place in the learning environment, and support children on their journey from the concrete to the abstract. Examples include the sandpaper letters that facilitate the transition from grasping to understanding, the bead sticks that visualize mathematical relationships, or the globe as the first tool for orientation in the world. Each material is available only once so that children learn to be considerate and make agreements.
The goals of Montessori education are diverse: Children develop independence, discipline, perseverance, and the joy of learning. They learn consideration, respect for others, and love and respect for nature. Maria Montessori understood all these goals as a contribution to a greater whole: peace. Montessori education is therefore always also peace education.
In our shop, you will find a carefully selected range of high-quality Montessori materials for professional use in children's homes, schools, and educational institutions.
