Maria Montessori

A Critical Introduction to Key Themes and Debates

Marion O'Donnell

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN: 9781441172655
• eBook ISBN: 9781441185389
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Early Childhood Education

Maria Montessori considers the origins of Montessori education, examines the key themes of this philosophy of education and explores the relevance of Montessori practices today. Montessori students aged 3-18 study in a stress-free environment with no timetables, no examinations and no homework and yet they are empowered, independent and self-disciplined learners. The curriculum follows the interests of individual children and Montessori educators focus on the development of the whole child, promoting happiness and wellbeing. Marion O'Donnell explores the key aspects of Montessori education: child development; the learning environment; the role of the teacher; the role of the learner and parental involvement. Within each key aspect, Marion considers the implications for Montessori education, the views of critics and supporters, the implications for education today and the implications for research. Each aspect is considered within an international context, drawing on research and practice in Europe, the USA, South America, Australia and Asia.

Index

3Rs, the 1, 63

absorbent mind 187

Achwartz, E. 80

Adams, M. 119

Aristotle 23

Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) 75, 81, 89, 124

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) 101

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) 3, 119

Baccelli, G. 12

Beatty, H. M. 6

Bell, A. G. 83

Berk, L. E. 159

Berliner, D. C. 36, 102, 166

Berryman, J. 85

Beyer, E. 144, 145

Billings, H. K. 84

Binet, A. 109

Bissex, G. L. 66

Blenkin, G. 117, 118, 131

Board, P. 86

Bontempi, T. 74

Bovet, P. 74, 75

Bower, P. G. 118

Boyd, W. 6, 9, 91

Bradley, L. 67

Breadmore, J. 90

Broadbent, D. 101, 165

Brown, A. L. 102, 166

Bruner, J. 128 see also spiral curriculum

Bryant, P. E. 67

Bühler, C. 64, 79, 80, 110, 111

Burns, S. 61

Butts, F. R. 16, 17

Cambourne, B. 64, 65, 131

Carr, D. 39, 125

Carroll, J. 115

Casa dei Bambini 187

Caspi, A. 115

Castells, M. 38, 40

Chattin-McNichols, J. 76, 88

Child, P. 90

child development 91–3, 163–4 see also cosmic education; developmental curriculum; developmental theories

education as development 117–18

implications for research 119

freedom and 164–5

implications for education 113–15

implications for research 115–17

planes of 93–4

12 to 15 years (adolescence) 105–6

15 to 18 years (adolescence/youth) 106–7

3 to 6 years (early childhood) 96–7

6 to 12 years (childhood) 103–5

birth to 3 years (infancy) 94–5

discovery and the sensitive periods 95–6

two natures of childhood 98–100

Chomsky, C. 66

Christie, F. 171

Claparede, E. 74

Clarke-Stewart, A. 102, 166

Classical...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Series
• Introduction
• 1The Foundations of Montessori Education
• 2Montessori and the First Childrens House
• 3Teacher Training and the Early Dissemination of Montessori Education
• 4Montessori and Child Development
• 5Montessori, the Teacher and the Prepared Environment
• 6Montessori, Parents and the Home Environment
• Conclusions
• Bibliography
• Definitions of Some Montessori Terms
• Index