Maria Montessori Maria Montessori was born in 1870, and was a major figure in the history of early childhood education. She's the reason why classrooms have smaller tables and chairs for the children.  She was one of the first female physicians in Italy. 4000 private schools, 250 public schools and 100 charter schools in the US offer classes that use the Montessori Method.

She stresses learning to be its own reward and that self-motivated learning is very important for a students success. She believed that what appeared to be mental retardation was not biologically based, but rather caused by the lack of stimulation in their environments. In 1970, she started a program for children (ages 4-7) called casa dei bambini (children's house), and developed a highly successful approach to teaching the children, which revealed they were not mentally disabled at all.

The Montessori method includes several basic elements   Image of children:  the abosorbent mind (believed that children developed naturally in an organized environment)            A prepared learning environment (believed that poor children deserve high-quality experiences)           The teachers role ( prepare the environment, observe children, and demonstrate materials but not to interfere with their natural exploration)

The Montessori Curriculum is broken down into the following categories: Practical Life Sensorial Mathematics Language and Literacy Cultural Subjects (which include Geography, History, Natural Sciences, Experimental Sciences) Creative Subjects (Art and Craft, Music and Movement, Drama)