25 Maria Montessori Quotes from the Woman that Changed Education

If you’re a supporter of the approach of Montessori schools, you’ll enjoy these Maria Montessori quotes from the woman behind the classroom. 

Many people have heard of Montessori schools but not everyone understands what they are or where the idea came from.

Maria Montessori was a woman that was incredibly educated during a period of time when many women did not further their education.

She had formal education in both medicine and education.

She eventually experimented with a style of learning and quickly saw it’s success.

This learning style involved providing children with items that would build their interest and learning in different subjects but allowing the child’s interests to influence their activities.

As the woman that changed education, Maria Montessori is someone who clearly managed to tap into her Everyday Power.

Enjoy this selection of inspirational, wise, and enlightening Maria Montessori quotes and sayings.

Don’t forget to also check out these education quotes and the power of learning.

If you like this article, we suggest you explore our most popular quotes article, a list of short inspirational quotes for daily encouragement. 

Look through our complete collection of inspirational quotes here.

You will also enjoy our article on quotes about education.

Maria Montessori quotes about children

1. “A child who has become master of his acts through long and repeated exercises, and who has been encouraged by the pleasant and interesting activities in which he has been engaged, is a child filled with health and joy and remarkable for his calmness and discipline.” – Maria Montessori

You will also enjoy our article on preschool quotes.

2. “The child who concentrates is immensely happy.” – Maria Montessori

3. “The hand is the instrument of intelligence. The child needs to manipulate objects and to gain experience by touching and handling.” – Maria Montessori

4. “In the child is much knowledge, much wisdom. If we do not profit from it, it is only because of neglect on our part to become humble and to see the wonder of this soul and learn what the child can teach.” – Maria Montessori

5. “Adults move because their will directs them. The small child is urged by nature.” – Maria Montessori

6. “It is necessary that the child teach himself, and then the success is great.” – Maria Montessori

7. “The child who has never learned to work by himself, to set goals for his own acts, or to be the master of his own force of will is recognizable in the adult who lets others guide his will and feels a constant need for approval of others.” – Maria Montessori

8. “The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.” – Maria Montessori

9. “By the age of three the child has already laid down the foundations of his personality as a human being.” – Maria Montessori

10. “Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world.” – Maria Montessori

11. “Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.” – Maria Montessori

12. “When children come into contact with nature, they reveal their strength.” – Maria Montessori

13. “Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence.” – Maria Montessori

Also check out these Rick Warren quotes for living a better life.

Maria Montessori quotes about education and teaching

14. “The teacher’s task is not to talk, but to prepare and arrange a series of motives for cultural activity in a special environment made for the child.” – Maria Montessori

15. “Education is the best weapon for peace.” – Maria Montessori

16. “Preventing conflicts is the work of politics; establishing peace is the work of education.” – Maria Montessori

17. “The goal of childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn.” – Maria Montessori

18. “Education cannot be effective unless it helps a child open up to himself about life.” – Maria Montessori

19. “This is the hope we have—a hope in a new humanity that will come from this new education, an education that is collaboration of man and the universe….” – Maria Montessori

20. “All children can…explode into learning.” – Maria Montessori

21. “The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.” – Maria Montessori

22. “The education of a small child, therefore, does not aim at preparing him for school, but for life.” – Maria Montessori

23. “An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking: it involves the spiritual development of man, the enhancement of his value as an individual, and the preparation of young people to understand the times in which they live.” – Maria Montessori

24. “Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired by listening to words but by experiences in the environment.” – Maria Montessori

25. “The training of the teacher is far more than learning ideas. It includes training of character. It is a preparation of the spirit.” – Maria Montessori

Maria Montessori changed learning forever

Through the work that Maria did and the achievements that she accomplished, students for future generations have benefited. 

Students in Montessori schools are known for developing a strong enjoyment of learning due to their ability to explore the subjects in the way that makes the most sense to them. 

Maria Montessori was able to achieve this and introduce the world to a new way of learning because she was willing to put her own formal education first.

She made tough decisions throughout her life, sacrificing personal relationships in order to build upon her professional advancements.

But she forever changed the what we know about the education of children because of it.

What’s your biggest takeaway from these Maria Montessori quotes and sayings?

Do you have any other inspirational quotes to add?

Let us know in the comment section below.