On what date did Maria Montessori open the first Casa dei Bambini in Rome?

Maria Montessori opened the first Casa dei Bambini in Rome on 6 January 1907.

The first “Children’s House” opened in the San Lorenzo district for children of working parents living in a new low-income housing development. Montessori was invited to organize the educational environment, and the project became the foundation of the Montessori educational movement.

The classroom used furniture and materials scaled to young children. Montessori observed children choosing activities, repeating tasks, caring for their surroundings, and developing independence. Her role for the teacher emphasized careful observation and guidance rather than constant whole-class instruction.

The first Casa enrolled roughly 50 or 60 children between about two or three and six or seven years old. A second Casa opened in Rome on 7 April 1907, and Montessori’s methods soon spread through teacher-training courses, books, and schools outside Italy.