Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-21
Group of Westinghouse
Urge City as Headquarters
for MOntesSori Method.
SPONSORS OF MOVEMENT
ARE DR.. AND MRS. BELL
Room at Home of Scientist on Con-
necticut Avenue to Be Used
at the Start.

If the efforts of a group of Washing
tonians who are intensely interested in
l the Montessori method of child-educa
ton are successful, Washington will be-
come the American center for the spread
Of this new method: its educational sys-
,, TEN will absorb the Italian psychologists
ideas, and the parents of the children
who are now being educated in the casa
del bambini." or school for young chill
dren. conducted under the auspices of DIR.
and Mrs. Alexander Graham Bell. will
he the sponsors for the awakening in
America of this twentieth century dis
covery as to the best way of getting the
best out of a child.
Dr. Bell, scientist, whose name is
known around the world is so enthusiast
tic about the Montessori method that
he has immortalizcd his ideas and the
ideas of q Montessori expert in his pre-
cious laboratory notes.-the "B. B. Re
corder"-and as practical and material
expression of his appreciation of the
value of MontesSori he and his wife
have turned over very large and well
lighted room in their home at 1881 Con-
necticut avenue for Miss Anne George
and Miss Roberta Fletcher to start the
system in Washington. and probably in
America, for it is the ambition of this
Sibup u enthusiasts To eApdIu TO JHt
full limit.
The parents Of children who have been
attending this Laboratory" since Novem-
her met at DR.. Bells home yesterday
morning, determined 10 keep the Monies
sori center of America right here in
Washington. 1t is more than mere mat
ter of having small private school
here: the movement has for its object
much larger thing. They want Washing
ton to adopt the method for its educa-
ctnr1o nd how no obi Tod
system become the show piece of the ma
ton, from an educational standpoint.
First American Graduate.
There is something unique and of his
toric Importance in the pioneer school
in the Bell Home 1t is important be-
cause the head Of it is Anne George, the
first American graduate of the famous
Dottoressa Maria Montessori of Rome.
the woman VINO upset all previous notions
as to educating children and whose dis
cover'es are fast getting out of the fad
stage and are attracting the serious
wonder and attention of the scientific
world. Miss George is a pioneer in Mon
tesSorl. and has always been a free lance
in education. kicking over the traces of
convention and seeking for the latest and
best developments. She was in Chicago,
a private school teacher. when she heard
of DR.. Montessori in Rome. That was be-
fore the magazine writer's had begun
their assault of interviews on the doctor
in Rome. Miss George went to Rome,
saw that a continent had been dis
covered in the world of educating chill
dren and went to work TO conquer its
difficulties.
She had to learn Italian to do it, How
well she succeeded is briefly but simply
told in the fact that she was the one who
translated DR.. Montessori's book into
English. This Chicago girl with smile
that would attract the dullest child is
now the recognized captain Of the move
ment in this country. She is spreading
the Montessori gospel at the head of the
Montessori american committee. which
has its headquarters at A.! 18th avenue.
New York city.
For Washington. DR.. Bell has amhi-
tons. and for the Montessori method he
has evidently had a deep interest for
many months. for Miss Roberta Fletcher,
now assisting Miss George at the Mon
tessori School in the Bell home, has been
with DIR. Bells family for some time.
1t Miss Fletcher who gave DIR. Bell
the notes for the B. b. Recorder" and
DR.. Bell told Star reporter today that
her explanation Of the method is about
as clear could be expected from any
human being.