Opera Nazionale Montessori

Opera Nazionale Montessori (ONM) is a cultural organisation and legal entity by royal decree no. 1534 set up on 8th August 1924. Based in Rome, Italy, it is the heir and repository of a specific scientific, educational and pedagogical tradition and also a national organisation for research, experimentation, training, assistance, consultancy, promotion and dissemination of Montessorian scientific and methodological principles and ideals.

In line with the original intentions of its founder, Maria Montessori, it has the task of preserving and disseminating her thought and work, of developing the historical and scientific heritage, and of guaranteeing the ideals and practice of her method.

ONM pursues its aims and channels them towards the achievement of the total shaping of human beings according to principles of individual autonomy, freedom and responsibility that are the necessary conditions for the realisation and expression of human potential and for the concrete affirmation of children’s rights.

To this purpose, ONM is active in the pedagogical and school education field by promoting initiatives, both at national and international level, for study and exchange with institutional bodies and representatives of various scientific and cultural positions. In particular, it has ongoing relations with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Social Policies, as well as with universities, research and training centres, professional associations and the media.

In order to achieve its aims, ONM:

• promotes studies, research and dissemination at national and international level;
• promotes, organises and coordinates information and training activities at a local, national and international level, such as conferences, specialist training courses, seminars, forums, internships, awards and competitions;
• develops its own communication tools through its publishing facilities: the monthly magazine “Vita dell’infanzia” (Childhood Life), since 1952, as well as texts of an historical, scientific and informative nature;
• provides for the computerised processing of all the wealth of books and documentation available in its library;
• promotes and carries out training and specialisation programmes for teachers and educators;
• sets up and/or directly runs Montessori schools and communities for children and helps create other educational institutions through agreement-based consultancy and guidance activity.

List of educational institutions currently run by ONM

• Since 1971 - a “House of Children” with an attached nursery for the children of the employees of the Bank of Italy. Approximately 145 children attend the school and are assisted by a team of 38 including educators and other staff. (Rome, Largo Bastia 1).

• Since 1972 - a nursery school, a "House of Children" and a Montessori primary school recognised by the Ministry of Education. About 216 children attend the school and are assisted by a team of 29 including educators and other staff (Castellanza - VA, Via Cantoni 6).

• Since 2000 - a crèche for the children of the employees of the European Investment Bank. The school is attended by around 84 children belonging to three different language groups, assisted by a team of 30 including educators and other staff. (Luxembourg, 2 rue Marguerite de Busbach).

• Since 2000 - a City Council nursery school attended by about 23 children assisted by a team of 5 including educators and other staff (Rome, Via Nomentana 54).

• Since 2002 - a nursery school for the children of the employees of the Bank of Italy, attended by about 100 children assisted by a team of 38 including educators and other staff (Rome, Largo Volumnia 2).

• Since 2005 - a nursery school for the children of the employees of the Ministry of Economic Development. About 13 children attend the school and are assisted by a team of 3 including educators and other staff (Rome, Via Molise 2).

Note:

• Nursery schools]] are for children aged from 3 months to 3 years;
• Crèches are for children aged from 3 months to 4 years;
• A "House of Children" is the Montessorian term referring to a school that welcomes children from 2 and a half to 6 years of age.

Publications in English

• Montessori Nursery School and House of Children Chiaravalle. Help for Life

A joint edition by the Chiaravalle City Council and ONM.

• Author: Anna Maria Ferrati

• A journey Around A Montessori Nursery School
• Author: Laura Franceschini

• A Journey Around a Children’s House

Preface by Antonio Fazio (Governor of the Bank of Italy)

• Author: Carla Cevenini

• The Child is the Father of the Man
• Author: Silvana Quattrocchi Montanaro

• Proposed Manifesto for a Neo-Montessori Structuralist Pedagogy

The Manifesto aims to show how the driving force of Montessori pedagogy is the search for structures of order of reality.

• Author: Mauro Laeng

• Montessori. International Bibliography 1896-2000

with attached CD-ROM Over 14,000 records documenting the impact that Maria Montessori has had all over the world. The bibliographic items refer to 56 countries.

• Edited by Clara Tornar

• Man According to Maria Montessori. From Love-Teaching Child to Peace-Loving Adult

Proceedings of the International Congress Rome 16/17 May - Chiaravalle 18/19 May 2002

• Music and the Montessori Method

The first attempt to draft the original music curriculum supported and guided by practices of the Montessori method.

• Author: Isenarda De Napoli

• The Montessori Nursery Charter

The principles of Montessori education from birth: a tool for educators and directors.

• Opera Nazionale Montessori

• The First House of Children by Maria Montessori
• Authors: Salvatore Valitutti, Manuela Iannello, Giuseppe Di Millo and Maria Angela Grassi

• The Fairy Tale of Life

A tale to help adults understand the child’s peculiarities and potentials.

• Author: Augusto Scocchera

External links

• http://www.operanazionalemontessori.it
• http://www.comune.chiaravalle.an.it