Phoebe Child

Montessori Restoration and Translation Project

Phoebe Child
Born	Phoebe Child (1910-05-12)May 12, 1910 England, UK
Died	February 13, 1990(1990-02-13) (aged 79) London, England, UK
Education	she was asked by Maria Montessori to help her to translate her courses
Occupation	Educator
Known for	Co-Founder of the Montessori World Educational Institute in California, USA and Australia
Movement	Montessori education

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Phoebe Child (12 May 1910 – 13 February 1990) was a significant figure in Montessori education and one of the co-founders of the Montessori World Educational Institute (MWEI).

Early Life and Education

Born in England, Child was introduced to the Montessori approach by Maria Montessori in London in 1929. The following year, she traveled to Italy alongside fellow Montessori students Margaret Homfray and Edna Andriano to serve as English translators for Montessori's course in Rome. Their relationship with Montessori deepened in the following years as Child and Homfray continued to assist Montessori in her teaching work, even translating her lectures during training sessions in Ireland.

Career

In 1946, after the end of World War II, Montessori collaborated with Child and Homfray to initiate a Montessori teacher training program in England. This collaboration led to the establishment of the St. Nicholas Training Centre for the Montessori Method of Education. The center, which Child and Homfray co-directed for many years, provided comprehensive residential training in two former embassy buildings in Princes Gate, London, as well as correspondence courses for aspiring Montessori educators from around the world.

In the years following Dr. Montessori's death in 1952, Child and Homfray worked together on numerous Montessori projects. They successfully set up a Montessori Training Center in Ireland and established the Montessori World Educational Institute in the United States and Australia. Child specialized in elementary education and frequently made trips across the English Channel to discuss curriculum ideas with Dr. Montessori.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1952, following the death of Dr. Montessori, Child and Homfray continued their work in Montessori education, contributing to the establishment of the St. Nicholas training center in Ireland and the Montessori World Educational Institute in the United States and Australia.

Child and Homfray retired from St. Nicholas in 1978 and moved to California to continue their work. During their time in the U.S., they revised Montessori courses, curated curriculum guides, and continued lecturing and giving workshops. The Montessori World Educational Institute, which they established during this period, is still operational and continues their mission of promoting Montessori education globally.

Despite personal misunderstandings that caused a distance between them and the Montessori family, they remained dedicated to their mission. In 1952, they formed the St. Nicholas charitable educational trust, named after the patron saint of children. This initiative offered both internal and external Montessori training courses and played a pivotal role in spreading Montessori education and facilitating the establishment of new Montessori schools.

Even after retiring from St. Nicholas in 1978, Child and Homfray continued their work, establishing the Montessori World Educational Institute (MWEI) in California. They lived there for a few years, revising Montessori courses, curriculum guides, and delivering lectures and workshops. Later, they returned to the United Kingdom and resided in a stone cottage set amidst beautiful gardens in North Wales.

In Australia, Child's influence was fundamental in the formation of the Montessori World Educational Institute's branches in South Australia and Victoria. The first Montessori Institute office in Perth was established due to her efforts, and with the increase in the number of students enrolling in the Montessori World Educational Institute (Australia) courses, a need for an Australasian version of the cultural subjects arose. To meet this need, a comprehensive manual titled 'An Introduction to the Cultural Subjects' was created, designed specifically for teachers working in Australia and New Zealand.

Phoebe Child's life-long dedication to Montessori education and her relentless efforts to spread Montessori's principles have played an instrumental role in the widespread adoption and development of the Montessori Method globally. Her legacy continues to be felt in the realm of Montessori education.

Phoebe Child (May 12, 1910 – February 13, 1990) is recognized as a pioneering figure in the realm of Montessori education and co-founder of the Montessori World Educational Institute.