Ismat Malik grew up in Lahore, Pakistan. She had a passion for education and a strong desire to continue her studies, fueling her fire to become the first in her family to obtain a college degree from Islamia College for Women. Inspired by her dream, Ismat’s father supported her studies; before he died, he asked his sons to continue doing the same, encouraging their sister to follow her dreams.

Somewhere along the path of doing just that, Ismat heard about a Montessori training course in Srinagar, capital of Kashmir, from a friend and neighbor who planned on attending. Ismat decided to accompany her friend and embarked on a journey that would shape the course of her life.

Ismat, now nearly 100 years old, is mostly comfortable speaking Urdu and Punjabi. As a result of language barriers, Ismat’s family worked together to translate the questions and answers below of Ismat’s recollections of Maria Montessori and the time she spent learning from her.

How did you first hear about Montessori education?

Ismat: A neighbor and a friend who was my age was going to the training so I decided to go with her. I had finished my Bachelor’s degree in teaching at this stage and was not otherwise familiar with, or had heard, of Montessori Education.

Where did you meet Dr. Maria Montessori?

Ismat: I met Dr. Montessori in Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir, in India.

What was your initial reaction to meeting Dr. Montessori?

Ismat: I liked Dr. Montessori very much. She was very nice and engaging.

What course were you taking?

Ismat: I took a five to six week course after college and learned from Dr. Montessori in person in Kashmir. My two brothers accompanied me to Kashmir and one stayed there with me. I was learning Dr. Montessori’s method of education for children that were around two-and-a-half to three years old. This was the only option or course being taught. There were approximately ten to twenty students taking the course—mostly older male teachers who were Hindu or Sikh. Dr. Montessori’s nephew was present, translating Italian to English. The course ended with a practical exam. There were two other young women who attended. We kept ourselves covered with a headscarf and a veil over our faces and sat in the front of the class. At the end of the class, for the practical portion, we removed our headscarves and veils to work with the children. Dr. Montessori was quite surprised by this.

What was Dr. Montessori like? Can you describe her?

Ismat: She had a very good personality. She had just finished teaching students in Goa, India and those students were so fond of her and her teachings that they followed her to Kashmir.

What did you learn from Maria Montessori?

Ismat: Allow the child to learn or behave how they would like without disciplining them unnecessarily. If the child is looking out an open window, don’t reprimand them. If the concern is cold air coming through the window, [try to find] another way to change the environment to prevent the cold from coming in without stopping or scolding the child. I also remember Dr. Montessori teaching that if a child wants to lay down and learn all day, then let them do that.

Can you describe some of your work or experiences after taking the course with Dr. Montessori? How did the course impact your life or career?

Ismat: I raised my own four children (three sons and one daughter) in accordance with Dr. Montessori’s teachings—by allowing them to be children and by not disciplining them excessively. I wanted to work as a teacher and was offered positions, but after my marriage and due to family circumstances, I was not able to do so.

Farhan Malik, Ismat’s grandson, wonders if the effect of taking the Montessori course and his grandmother’s desire to be educated ultimately led her to moving to the United States forty years ago. He notes, “It inspired her to raise her kids in a certain way and all of her kids were encouraged to pursue their education… She helped secure admission to schools for her children, nieces, and nephews. All four of her children went to college. One studied law and another studied medicine and became a heart surgeon. She has multiple grandchildren and [great-grandchildren who] have been educated in Montessori schools and [who are now well-educated professionals].” Malik adds that two of Ismat’s grandchildren attended Ivy League institutions like Harvard and Yale and others continued on to obtain masters and doctorate level degrees continuing to embody their family’s passion for, and dedication to, educational pursuits.

It seems that one simple decision of accompanying a friend and neighbor to a nearby training course may have been an influential factor that shaped the course of Ismat’s life, creating a Montessori family legacy.

About the Author

Heather White, EdS, is a Montessori coach and consultant, content creator, and educator for adult learners, as well as a moderator and manager for the Montessori at Home (0 – 3 years) Facebook group. Formerly, she was a Montessori teacher, in-home caregiver, Lower Elementary coordinator, and associate head of school. She also has experience as a school psychologist intern. She is AMS-credentialed (Early Childhood, Elementary I) and is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). Contact her at hpratt@stetson.edu.

The opinions expressed in Montessori Life are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of AMS.