The Ten Best Quotes From Maria Montessori
Maria Montessori is one of the greatest minds of the twentieth century. She was a physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, philosopher, anthropologist, biologist, educator and scientist. Her life was impressive. For example, did you know that Maria Montessori was the first woman in Italy to graduate as a doctor? Her quotes are memorable and deeply influencing education today.
Maria Montessori has radically changed education. Her ideas and conclusions had an impact on pedagogy around the world. Today, many of its precepts are used on a daily basis, although the user may not always realize this.
Maria Montessori’s quotes reflect many of the ideas she held about education. Her approach to education was to be loving and respectful towards the child. She attached great importance to games and gave autonomy a central place. These are some of her most remembered affirmations.
Quotes from Maria Montessori about help
One of the best quotes from Maria Montessori is: “In reality, he who is served is limited in his independence. This concept will form the basis for the dignity of the human beings of the future; “I don’t want to be served, because I’m not powerless.” And this idea has to be acquired before people can really feel free.”
The concept of aid, as Maria Montessori saw it, always warns of the consequences of a lack of clarity about what constitutes aid and what does not. Making things easy for children instead of helping them only serves to hold them back. This is spelled out very clearly in one of her most famous sayings. “All unnecessary aid is an obstacle to development.”
The meaning of education
Maria Montessori established a close bond between education and freedom. One teaches and learns to be more independent and autonomous. To avoid manipulation and to act consciously and without pressure. Hence Maria Montessori’s quote that reads: “Development takes the form of a striving for ever greater independence. It is like an arrow let loose from the bow, which flies straight, swift and sure.”
Teachers are a guide in this process towards autonomy. They cannot and should not subordinate their students to them. On the contrary, the aim of the teacher is to teach his students in such a way that they need him less and less, and are not so dependent on him. This idea is well captured in one of Maria Montessori’s most beautiful quotes. “The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, the kids are now working like I don’t exist.”
Education changes everything
Maria was sure that education is a key factor in changing the world. According to her, it was this area that should give the history of mankind a better direction. She stated: “If rescue and help is to come, it is through the child; for the child is the constructor of man.”
Likewise, one of her other quotes points to the following: “Education from the beginning of life could really change the present and future of society.” This quote, as in the previous quote, emphasizes the value of children as the constructors of new realities. With the defining role of education as the field that makes these major changes possible.
The physical world and the mental world
An important part of Maria Montessori’s pedagogical method is based on facilitating the child’s interaction with his reality. Not to let him observe it, but to let him actually come into contact with it. You should help children explore and learn from their experiences. Mary saw no sharp division between the physical and the mental world. On the contrary, she found that these two dimensions fit together perfectly.
This is reflected in the statement: “If we consider physical life on the one hand and mental life on the other, we break the cycle of relationships and human actions remain separate from the brain.”
Teaching the child
For Maria Montessori, education was an integral process. It is not good to train only intellectuals, instead full-fledged individuals must be formed. Teaching is not just about transferring knowledge. It is also an ethical act, one of respect and love. The major difference between teaching and instruction is made clear in the quote: “The best instruction is the instruction that takes the fewest words to explain the task.”
One of Maria Montessori’s most beautiful sayings is: “If you criticize a child too much, he will learn to judge. If you compliment the child regularly, he will learn to appreciate.” It is a very clear acknowledgment that allows us to see that, in the end, the child will reflect what the adult has to offer.
The Montessori method is one of the clearest and most intelligent methods in all of pedagogy. Its impact is incalculable. Almost a century after the method was created, its influence is still unchanged. And so it remains, because it is the fruit of deep sensitivity and overwhelming clarity.
