So, what exactly is the children’s house? Casa de bambini was the name of Maria Montessori’s first school in Rome. It’s hard to imagine today, but a hundred years ago the idea of child size materials or child centered activities was revolutionary! One of the greatest contributions Dr. Montessori made to civilization was this very idea of a sacred space for children. The children’s house, a place where furnishings, routines, opportunities and expectations were based on the developmental needs of humans. She was nominated six times over three years for the Nobel Peace Prize for her work with women and children around the world. We continue that legacy of science and service to the human potential and the family unit by providing a beautiful home environment, hands on learning and thoughtful guidance. We honor the self-directed, uninterrupted work cycle of best practice Montessori and employ a skillful balance of space and support that comes from informed observation.

          What kind of science from a century ago is going to prepare my child for the world of tomorrow? Dr. Montessori was trained as an anthropologist, engineer and medical doctor. She brought a transdisciplinary awareness to her experiments in education and her theories on child development. As modern medicine, psychology and technology advance, research continues to emerge from the fields of biology and business supporting her developmental theories and educational methodology. “We see that the development of the hand is connected with the development of the intelligence of man and if we look at history, it is connected with the development of civilization...the child who has been able to work with his hands shows also a development and firmness of character.” Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind, Intelligence and the Hand, one of her first publications, is validated by our current understanding of neurology, as Steve Hughes explains “motivated, effortful, repeated trial and error experimental interactions with the environment” matter in learning environments!”

          Check out this Ted Talk discussing what type of school is truly the best for children.