=ulton Book

n erstanding the
Montessori Approach

Understanding

the Montessori Approach is a much needed source of infor-

mation for those wishing to extend and consolidate their understanding

of the Montessori approach and how it is used in the teaching and
learning of young children. It will enable the reader to analyse the essential elements of this approach to early childhood and its relationship to
quality early years practice.
Exploring all areas of the curriculum including the organisation of
Montessori schools, the environment, learning and teaching and the outcomes for children, this book:
focuses on the key principles of the Montessori approach;
explores ideas for working with parents and communities around the
world;
includes a chapter on the benefits and challenges of the Montessori
approach to children's lives;
highlights the key ideas that practitioners should consider when
reviewing and reflecting on their own practice;
can be used as the basis for continuing professional development and
action research.
Written to support the work of all those in the field of early years
education and childcare, this is a vital text for students, early years and
childcare practitioners, teachers, early years professionals, children's
centre professionals, lecturers, advisory teachers, head teachers and setting managers.

Barbara Isaacs is Academic Director at Montessori Centre International.

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8802988776

Understanding the ... Approach

Series Editors: Pat Brunton and Linda Thornton
This new series provides a much-needed source of information for those wishing
to extend and consolidate their understanding of international approaches to
early years education and childcare. The books will enable the reader to analyse
the essential elements of each approach and its relationship to quality early years
practice.
Each book:
describes the key principles of the approach to early childhood with practical
examples and case studies;
provides students and practitioners with the relevant information about a key
pedagogical influence on high quality early years practice;
highlights the key ideas that practitioners should consider when reviewing
and reflecting on their own practice;
can be used as the basis for continuing professional development and action
research.
Written to support the work of all those in the field of early years education and
childcare, these will be invaluable texts for students, early years and childcare
practitioners, teachers, early years professionals, children's centre professionals,
lecturers, advisory teachers, head teachers and setting managers.
Titles in this series:
Understanding the Reggio Approach (second edition)
(978-0-415-48247-9 )

Linda Thomton and Pat Brunton

Understanding the Montessori Approach
(978-0-415-58503-3)

Barbara Isaacs
Understanding the Danish Forest School Approach
(978-0-415-58113-4)

Jane Williams-Siegfredsen
Understanding the HighScope Approach
(978-0-415-58358-9 )

Monica Wiltshire
Understanding the Te Whtiriki Approach
(978-0-415-61713-0)

Wendy Lee, Linda Mitchell, Brenda Soutar and Margaret Carr

Understanding the Steiner Waldorf Approach
(978-0-415-59716-6 )

Janni Nicol and Jill Taplin

Understanding the
Montessori Approach
Early years education in practice

Barbara Isaacs

I~~~o~~~~n~~:up
LONDON AND NEW YORK

First published 2012

by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, axon OX14 4RN
Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
2012 Barbara Isaacs
The right of Barbara Isaacs to be identified as author of this work has been
asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced
or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means,
now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording,
or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation
without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Isaacs, Barbara, 1949Understanding the montessori approach: early years education in
practice / Barbara Isaacs. - 1st ed.
p.em.
1. Montessori method of education. I. Title.
LB1029.M75I852012
371.39'2-dc23
2011037312
ISBN: 978-0-415-58502-6 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-415-58503-3 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-0-203-12480-2 (ebk)
Typeset in Palatino and Future
by Keystroke, Station Road, Codsall, Wolverhampton

- - JUN 701?

IJ

--FSC

MIX
Paper from
responsible sources

FSce C004839

Printed and bound in Great Britain by the MPG Books Group

Contents

Acknowledgements

ix

Introduction

Historical context

Montessori's views of children's development

18

Organisation of Montessori schools

31

4 Learning and teaching

5

The favourable environment

46
69

6 The benefits and challenges of the Montessori approach to

children's lives and communities of today

97

Appendix 1: Montessori education for twelve- to eighteenyear-olds

104

Appendix 2: Glossary

109

Appendix 3: Key Montessori texts

114

Appendix 4: Leading UK and international Montessori

organisations

119

Bibliography
Index

121
125

Acknowledgements

, ould like to thank the Routledge team for commissioning this book
and helping in making it ready for publication. My thanks go to all of my
_Iontessori and early years colleagues, Montessori students and the children in Montessori and other settings where I have taught and which I
ave visited, for allowing me the opportunity to learn from them. Special
~ anks go to Jenny Paramonov for her editorial support and patient help
ith the many drafts of this book.
My thanks and admiration go to Tina Bruce, for allowing me to benefit
- om her generosity of spirit and her continued support for nurturing
understanding of the pioneers of early childhood education.

Introduction

Ne

do not see him ...

outstretched

body,

as the helpless little creature lying with folded arms and

in his weakness.

We see the figure of the child who stands

oefore us with his arms open, beckoning

humanity to follow.
(Montessori

1992:

1 19)

_Iaria Montessori was one of the pioneers of early childhood education,

and has made a significant contribution to our understanding of children.
Her aim was to unfold the potential of each individual child. Her pedavogy recognises that young children are active learners, needing choice
and independence, whilst being guided by a sensitive teacher who facil. ates their learning by preparing an environment favourable to their
evelopment. The children who benefit from these experiences grow into
onfident adults, keen to continue to learn and curious about life and all
. has to offer, whilst being respectful and considerate. In Montessori's
iew, they become the heralds of social change.
This book is one in a series that focuses on a specific approach to early
_ears education. Each volume highlights the ethos and values which
underpin the pedagogy.
Some of the titles relate to specific and recent curricula and approaches
such as the New Zealand Te Whariki or the Forest Schools, whilst others
have contributed to our understanding of early years care and education
over a longer period of time beyond the early years, such as Steiner
aldorf and Montessori education. Like Steiner Waldorf's, Montessori's
own view of education and pedagogy (Kramer 1976,Standing 1984)was
influenced by the work of Rousseau, Pestallozi, Itard and Sequin. In turn,
her work had an impact on her twentieth-century contemporaries such
a Anna Freud, Susan Isaacs and the Macmillan sisters, who were also
deeply engaged with children. An awareness of Montessori's writing