Developed more than a century ago, Montessori is an educational philosophy based on the work and observations of Dr. Maria Montessori. It is centered around the principles of independent discovery, hands on learning, and respect for the individual learning pace and interests of each child. The Montessori method serves children birth through adolescense in schools all over the world. The method recognizes that the mind of a child is especially absorbent during the first six years of life. Guided by universal development periods, children acquire spoken and written language, order, a mathematical mind, controlled movement, and refinement of their senses almost effortlesly.