Montessori referred to the hands and tongue as the “instruments” of a man’s intelligence. Through taste and touch the child absorbs the qualities of the objects in his/her environment. Montessori is a philosophy and method of education, set out more than 80 years ago by Dr. Maria Montessor (b.1870 d.1952). It emphasizes and develops the potential of the child by utilizing special teaching materials, a prepared environment and teachers who have been trained in the use of Montessori materials and the philosophy behind them. Dr Montessori believed each child to be unique, an individual and as such should be treated with great respect.