Google and Amazon founders and their first impressions from Montessori classrooms
In an interview, the two co-founders of Google - two American billionaires Larry Page and Sergey Brin (both worth about 140 billion USD each) - were asked whether having parents who were professors and scientists was an important factor in helping them achieve success.
However, both billionaires did not mention the family factor, but mentioned something special about their childhood years. That is, both of them studied in kindergartens and primary schools that applied the Montessorieducational method.
Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin credit their childhood years of Montessori education as a key factor in their success (Photo: iStock).
“We both went to Montessori schools. I think that was the starting point for us to learn how to not think and act mechanically, to be self-motivated, to constantly ask questions about the world around us, and to act differently,” said billionaire Larry Page.
A Montessori classroom in kindergarten or elementary school is often like a laboratory for self-study. Children are free to choose activities that suit their individual needs and interests, within a limited framework, instead of being forced to follow a fixed curriculum.
Montessori teachers also respect each child's own pace of development, without comparison or pressure, because they believe that each child has a different learning speed and needs to be absolutely respected.
Montessori classrooms focus on helping children learn through sensory sensitivity, developing both abstract thinking and motor skills. In the classroom, teachers act as guides, observing the development of each child to provide timely support.
Freedom to learn helps children focus and be more disciplined
The best thing about Montessori classrooms is the freedom. Apart from a few fixed activities like lunchtime, playtime or group time, most of the time, students get to choose what they want to do and what they want to learn.
Surprisingly, children in Montessori schools are not often naughty or disruptive, but rather like to sit still and learn enthusiastically. This shows that young children can concentrate on learning for long periods of time, if properly stimulated.
The best thing about Montessori classrooms is the freedom (Illustration photo; iStock).
Montessori once wrote: “A child who has mastered his behavior and finds inspiration in interesting activities that fascinate him will be a healthy, happy, calm and disciplined child.”
American billionaire Jeff Bezos is a living testament to this. As a child, Jeff Bezos was so engrossed in his studies that his teacher had to carry him out of the classroom after school hours because he was so engrossed in his studies that he did not want to leave.
Italian educator Maria Montessori was the first person to challenge traditional educational views. At the first school she opened in 1906 in Rome (Italy), she eliminated timetables and teaching styles such as teachers dictating and students copying, arranging desks in rows, grading tests to evaluate students...
Basically, Montessori's educational method breaks the familiar disciplines in learning, giving students the greatest freedom, but still ensuring learning outcomes.
Female educator Maria Montessori proved that even children living in especially difficult circumstances, even those who have suffered psychological trauma due to events of the times or family, can still learn well if taught according to the Montessori method.
A century later, a study conducted in 2006 and published in the scientific journal Science (USA) continued to show that, in a modern context, the Montessori educational method is still very effective.
Specifically, children born into low-income families in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, still achieve outstanding academic results in many areas when taught using the Montessori educational method.
Inspiration from the pioneering woman who disrupted the traditional education model
In fact, many famous technology billionaires in the world today are deeply influenced by the educational method of female educator Maria Montessori. It is the Montessori educational method that has inspired them to develop themselves, bring new discoveries to the community, and promote innovation and creativity in the companies they lead.
Dr. Andrew McAfee also mentioned several other studies that found that a large percentage of creative entrepreneurs studied in schools that used the Montessori educational method.
Italian educator Maria Montessori (1870-1952) (Photo: iStock).
Maria Montessori and her educational methods have been an inspiration to many world-famous businessmen. In fact, there are some similarities between her and them.
In her educational career, Montessori chose to tackle a difficult problem. She proposed a different educational method, then persistently pursued it to the end, to prove its effectiveness.
The educational method named after her - the Montessori method - nurtures creative and innovative thinking. Meanwhile, creativity and innovation are key factors for success in the contemporary world.
The Montessori method of education has long shown that children do not need to be constrained or imposed to be able to study well or pass tests. When given freedom and autonomy in learning, they still learn as well as usual, or even better.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/nu-giao-vien-qua-doi-70-nam-truoc-nam-bi-mat-thanh-cong-cua-nhieu-ty-phu-20250712081552745.htm
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