Maria MontessoriMon·tes·so·ri, Ma·ri·a /ˌmɒntəˈsɔːri, -te- $ ˌmɑːn-, məˈriːə/ (1870–1952) an Italian teacher and writer who developed a new way of teaching young children, the Montessori method, which encourages each child to develop at his or her own speed, to learn through playing, and to be confident and independent. Her method is used in Montessori schools in many countries.