This book is Dr Montessori's exposition of the theory behind her educational techniques. First published in 1912, her method encourages the child to develop a sense of order and logical thought through liberty for the child, complemented by organization of the work by an adult (non-teacher). Maria Montessori was born in 1870 and was the first woman to receive a medical degree in Italy. In 1907 she opened the first children's home as a day centre in Rome and it was here that she began to develop her theories on pre-school education. From then until her death in 1952, she devoted her life to the education of children and the dissemation of Montessori principles and material.