Maria Montessori
“Education must no longer be mostly imparting knowledge, but must take a new path, seeking the release of human potentialities. When should such education begin? Our answer is that the greatness of human personality begins at birth, an affirmation full of practical reality, however strikingly mystic.”
As Italy’s first female doctor, Maria Montessori’s work in medicine led to her deep interest in child development. Over the course of her life, she studied children across races and cultures, and through her keen powers of observation, she came to understand that the child under the age of six holds a very special power. Within this young child lies the possibility of a new, more peaceful—and ultimately more joyful—humanity.
Through observing the young child, Montessori discovered this power: the Absorbent Mind. From birth to six, the child absorbs and retains every aspect of experience effortlessly.
With the Absorbent Mind, each of us takes on the attitudes and behaviors of the group in which we live and interact. Culture, language, and even the way we move our bodies are all learned during the first six years of life.
From conception to three years old, the child’s developing mind is in a state of the unconscious. This means the child is unaware of the extraordinary learning happening every moment. In these early years, the child naturally and without effort explores, orients, creates order, communicates, repeats, corrects errors, and develops self-control—all because of the powers of the Absorbent Mind.
By embracing the unconscious absorbent mind and becoming aware of its incredible power, we begin to see how the child truly thrives.
Montessori dedicated her life to education for peace and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1949, 1950, and 1951. Her legacy lives on across the globe, with schools on six continents and thousands of children—from birth through high school and beyond—benefiting from her pedagogy.
“I beg the dear all-powerful children to unite with me for the building of peace in Man and in the World.”
To read more about Montessori and her work click here.