MONTESSORI PROGRAM The Developmentally Appropriate program is based on theories of child development, an understanding of the individual needs, strengths and weaknesses of the child obtained from observation of the child and his interests, his cultural and socioeconomic background as defined by the society, family and community from which he comes, and evaluating what is individually appropriate for each child. The Montessori approach to education is successful because it relies on developmentally appropriate practices to aid the child's healthy growth. The curriculum is based on the acute observation of the child and his interaction and experimentation with an environment specially constructed and prepared for his optimal development. Dr. Maria Montessori is a pioneer in developing a philosophy of learning and teaching that could be called revolutionary. In an era when accepted traditional teaching methods were more directed at adults, the Montessori Method focused on learning directed at children. Maria believed that there were multiple paths to learning and that, with hands-on learning, the child could be the creator of his or her own education. He believed that there was a link between a child's emotional development and his or her ability to learn. She believes that the first six years of a child's life contribute significantly to the child's cognitive development and that there is infinite potential in every child, regardless of the child's diverse cultural, socioeconomic and socioemotional background. The child is particularly sensitive to acquiring knowledge from his environment, from the age of three to the age of six. For this reason he suggested preparing an environment particularly conducive to education by inserting child-sized furniture inside...... middle of paper ......and, completes the chain and holds the amalgam together. She is the catalyst that stimulates learning in a child-centered environment. In the Montessori Method children can develop according to the laws of child development. The developmentally appropriate practices propagated by this educational methodology enable the child to think constructively, creatively and independently. Bibliography Introduction to montessori. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://amshq.org/Montessori-Education/Introduction-to-Montessori.aspxMaria montessori (1870–1952) - biography, work with disabled children, links to itard and séguin, the orthophrenic school. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2244/Montessori-Maria-1870-1952.htmlMontessori History. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.alfredmontessori.com/montessori-education-history.htm