“For ten years I experimented with the ideas and meditated upon the work of these remarkable men, whose heroic lives were passed in relative obscurity. My 10 years of study can thus be added to the 40 years of labor of each Itard and Seguin. 50 years of active preparation during a period of more than a century had, therefore, already transpired…. (P. 37, para. 1)

Thoughts after reading 2. The History of Methods

In order to understand the work of Seguin and Itard, Maria absorbed herself in their writings. She went as far as writing out 600 pages of one of Seguin’s books to internalize his meanings. The more she studied the deeper her passion became to continue the work of transforming schools through using scientific methods to reform education.

Maria also discusses the importance of the teacher’s demeanor. “It is necessary that we know how to awaken the man that lies asleep within the soul of a child. I felt this instinctively, and I believe that it was not the material but my voice which roused the children and encouraged them to use material to teach themselves.” (p. 26, para. 4) Montessori Teachers present lessons  designed to ignite their curiosity and sense of wonder. When I went through my Montessori training I feel as though I underwent a transformation, I developed my own love of learning, an enhanced respect for children and an understanding of the importance of education.

Montessori, M. (1972). On the application of science to the school. In The discovery of the child (pp. 19-40) New York: Ballantine.