Which educator demonstrated that children can learn at a very early age when surrounded with manipulative materials and believed in learning through senses?

• A. Maria Montessori
• B. Seguin
• C. Itard
• D. Louis Braille

Answer: (A)

Learning through senses and hands-on materials is central to Montessori’s approach, which shows that very young children learn best when they can explore with their hands in a carefully prepared environment. Montessori designed sensorial materials that are self-correcting and organized to refine perception and understanding through direct interaction. This setup supports early learning by letting children discover concepts concretely—through manipulation, repetition, and independent exploration—before moving to abstract ideas.

While other educators made important contributions, their focus differed. Seguin emphasized individualized instruction for children with disabilities, Itard worked on shaping behavior and self-control through structured activities with a famous case of a wild child, and Braille developed a tactile reading system for the blind. The combination of early, sensory-based learning with manipulatives uniquely characterizes Montessori’s method.