A MONTESSORI SOCIETY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 76, 6 May 1914, Page 4

A MONTESSORI SOCIETY.

A MontessorL society has been formed for the spread of Dr Maria Montessori 's educational idea in trTe United Kingdom. About a dozen women, trained under Dr Montessori iu Rome, are now teaching classes on her method in England. One of them is directing a school, "The Little Commonwealth," which has been started in Dorsetshire, on the principles of the American George Junior Republic for the reclamation of young people who have got into trouble. It is recognised by'many educational authorities that the infant school for children between three and six, conducted more or less on kindergarten lines, has had its day. They Avish to substitute throughout England the Montessori system,' or some modification of it suitable for English children. "The Little Commonwealth" has so far proved s\iccessful. Twenty "citizens" are accommodated on the home principle, and it is hoped that it will soon be possible to take in nearly 100 children. The inmates are juvenile delinquents from the police! court, mostly convicted of stealing, and they are trained and educated to become self-respecting and responsible citizens.