the Child

One of the main themes of Maria Montessori's efforts was to rediscover the natural child, the essence of children. Her work was founded upon a love and respect for children; she harbored and espoused an attitude that approached reverence for children.

Her original work, having become the first woman physician in Italy, was a job in an asylum caring for the mentally handicapped. Many would have felt unhappy or as though they had been placed in a bad situation. Always a woman to persevere, however, Maria Montessori saw that her situation had great potential. She observed those in her charge very carefully. As the author noted, for possibly the first time, the mentally disabled had a genius looking into their circumstances. Montessori, also a very compassionate woman, soon decided that she pitied the poor children who had been relegated to such a sorry condition within institutions and...