montessory philosophy

It is certainly true that the range of autonomy related to the early childhood has always been considered a key drive toward individual growth. According to that, appropriate variables and constraints need to be understood and, some essential requirements need to be met, when focusing on the importance of fostering the child’s autonomy instinct at its start. For this reason, the main purpose of this essay is to develop an understanding of how, through an appropriate entourage, the right pathway for the child’s self awareness and independence can be preserved and potentially encouraged. Although a reasonable amount of different aspects, have to be strictly considered when dealing with early childhood behavior and understanding, the concept of independence impulse has been always considered a relevant key factor to be taken into account, in order to establish an holistic pathway for the child. “The child’s conquest of independence begins with his first introduction to life… A vital force is active within him and this guides his efforts towards their goal. It is the force called “horme” (Montessori, 2007, p. 76). Montessori (2007) argues that the need of independence, is to be intended as conceptually intrinsic to the active human being nature, getting it straight from the start. In fact, the early child’s spontaneous purposeful approach is to try mastering challenges, on his/her own requested by the immediate surroundings. Furthermore, Montessori (1972) relies to the horme as the force that urges the child on to life, survival, and self construction, which in turn, is the motivation to explore life, to engage the child with the new alien environment. At this stage - characterizing the first three years child’s life - known as the “Spiritual Embryo”, Montessori (1972, 2007) shows how, the primeval urge of the child, is only ruled by unconscious intentions, where the only need for child is to absorb as much as possible through the

Bibliography: Montessori, Maria (1972) The secret of Childhood, New York: Ballantine Montessori, Maria (1972) The Discovery of The Child, New York: Ballantine Lillard, Paula Polk (1972) Montessori, A Modern Approach, New York: Schocken Books Montessori, Maria (2007a) The absorbent Mind, Amsterdam: AMI Isaacs, Barbara (2010 2nd Ed) Bringing the Montessori approach to your Early Years Practice. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge MCI, (2010)Module 1: Philosophy, London:MCI Montessori, Maria (2012) The 1946 London Lectures Amsterdam: Montessori – Pierson Publishing