Maria Montessori lectured in Italian during the first International Montessori Course in 1939 in Madras (Chennai), India. These 75 lectures were translated into English by her son Mario, as she spoke. The lectures are left in the same order as they were given, swinging between psychology and the use of the materials.

During this time, Maria Montessori worked with children in Madras and put into practice her theories of adapting the environment, furniture and the Practical Life materials to local conditions.