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Birth
Born in Chiaravalle, Italy to Alessandro Montessori and Renilde Stoppani -
Family Moves to Rome
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Secondary School
At age 13, Maria enrolled in the Regia Scuola Tecnica Michelangelo Buonarroti technical school. At age 16 she would go on to the Regio Istituto Tecnico Leonardo da Vinci, where she would do particularly well in the sciences and mathematics. -
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Medical School
Despite the great controversy and opposition from her father, Maria Montessori enrolled in the University of Rome's medical school. She would face discrimination in the form of exclusion, isolation, and lack of support throughout medical school. -
M.D.
By graduating medical school, Maria Montessori became the first female doctor in Italy's history. -
University of Rome Psychiatric Clinic
Begins as a voluntary assistant surveying asylums in Rome. What she sees here will be the beginning of her work with disabled children, and her first observations of the capabilities of the child's mind. -
Birth of Son
Mario Montessori is born. Shortly after he will be placed in foster care, as marriage and child raising would make it impossible for her to work due to societal expectations of the time. -
Orthophrenic School
As the assistant director of Rome's Orthophrenic School, Maria Montessori trains teachers in the education of children with disabilities and begins to develop her own method and materials. -
Additional Studies
Dr. Montessori re-enrolls at the University of Rome to study philosophy, psychology, anthropology, and education -
The First Casa Dei Bambini
Opening of the first "Children's House" in Rome. This is where Dr. Montessori's method would be applied in full by utilizing a space made in the dimensions of the child to facilitate their development. -
First Published Work
After urging from friends and colleagues, Dr. Montessori writes and publishes an account of her method in a month's time. It is called "The Method of Scientific Pedagogy Applied to the Education of Children in the Children's Houses" -
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Rapid Spread of the Montessori Method
Over the next few years, visitors to the Children's Houses would spread word of the miraculous strides Montessori's students had taken. Word of the "new children" was heard all over the world. -
Dr. Montessori in the US (Part 1)
Dr. Montessori gives a series of lectures across the U.S. This is two years after the first Montessori school opens in New York. -
Dr. Montessori in the US (Part 2)
Dr. Montessori returns to officially train U.S. teachers in her method for her third international training in San Francisco. Unfortunately, the Montessori movement in the U.S. would fracture and lose steam when she leaves. -
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The Solidification of the Montessori Method in Europe
Over this large span of her life, Dr. Montessori lectures and trains teachers all over Europe. -
Association Montessori Internationale
The Association Montessori Internationale is founded by Dr. Montessori and her son, Mario. This body would serve to oversee schools, produce materials, and train teachers. -
Montessori in India
Dr. Montessori travels to Madras, India to lecture and tour schools and universities. Because of the onset of World War II, this is where she would remain for 7 years. -
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Developments in India
Not one to be stopped by a change of venue, Dr. Montessori and her son, Mario, would develop the Montessori Method further during their time in India. Through more observation and practice, they added the concept of cosmic education, introduced elementary school materials, and lectured on the first three years of life. -
The Absorbent Mind
Dr. Montessori gives a series of lectures on the planes of development and the first three years of life which would serve as the basis for her book "The Absorbent Mind". -
The Discovery of the Child
A previous work is revised and republished as "The Discovery of the Child". These last two works are regarded as some of Dr. Montessori's most important literary contributions. -
Death
Dr. Montessori passes away in the Netherlands from a cerebral hemorrhage.
