Casa dei Bambini, or “Children’s House,” refers to the first Montessori school established by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1907 in the San Lorenzo district of Rome, Italy. This innovative educational setting served children aged 3-6 and became the prototype for Montessori education worldwide. The Casa dei Bambini was designed to provide a nurturing, child-centered environment where young children could engage in meaningful activities, develop independence, and learn at their own pace.
The success of the Casa dei Bambini highlighted the effectiveness of Montessori’s educational approach, leading to the global spread of Montessori schools. The term now broadly refers to Montessori environments serving preschool-aged children, embodying the principles of self-directed learning, prepared environments, and respect for the child’s natural development.