Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.

Find out how to listen to other BBC stations

Episode details

World Service,15 May 2018,9 mins

The First Montessori Nursery

Witness History

Available for over a year

In 1907 Italian doctor, Maria Montessori opened a nursery where young children learnt independently, through practical work and playing with educational toys. The revolutionary teaching method soon spread around the world. Anya Dorodeyko spoke to the Italian educator's great granddaughter, Carolina Montessori and teacher Nan Abbott, who was trained by Dr Montessori in the 1940s. Photo: Children develop their problem solving skills through play at a Montessori school in 1919. Credit: Davies/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

Programme Website
More episodes