Maria Montessori (1870-1952): Women's emancipation, pedagogy and extra verbal communication

ABSTRACT

Maria Montessori is one of the most well-known women in Italian history. Although she was the first woman who graduated in medicine in Italy, she is mostly known as an educator. Her teaching method -the Montessori Method- is still used worldwide. Because she could not speak English during the imprisonment in India, there was a big obstacle for her communication with children. However, the need to adopt a non-verbal communication, led her to a sensational discovery children use an innate and universal language. This language, made of gestures and mimic, is called extra verbal communication .