MARIA MONTESSORI: HER LIFE AND LEGACY

With Annette Haines, Ed.D.

2004 (35 min) $250.   ISBN: 1-891340-76-X        [Available with Spanish Subtitles]

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Montessori schools are found all over the world, following the quite specific guidelines Dr. Maria Montessori established in her lifetime.  Beyond them, her educational work has very much influenced early education practices in schools not bearing her name. (It was she who inspired the use of open shelving for materials, manipulative materials and the involvement of young children in real life experiences like cooking.)

This film introduces viewers to the basic tenets and methodology of Montessorian education with artfully shot film sequences from three schools showing children independently learning in their carefully prepared environments.  Ranging in age from toddler hood through adolescence, they are shown working with the beautiful materials so basic to Montessorian education. Dr. Montessori’s own dramatic life is portrayed with rare archival photos. 

Film content:

            Dr. Montessori’s biography.

            Montessori’s understanding, like that of Vygotsky and Piaget, that knowledge is constructed.

            The concept of “normalization” uniting physical and mental energies of the child.

            The role of “trained adults” in Montessori classrooms.

            The “prepared environment” encouraging independent work by the child with specialized materials.

            The basic aspects of Montessori education:        

                        Sensorial- refining and organizing sense impressions

                        Practical life- Experiences designed to give the child confidence in his ability to take care of him/herself

                        Mathematics- Concrete to abstract representations

                        Language-

                        Fine arts- graphic arts and music

                        Grace and courtesy- A balance of freedom and discipline

            Three period lesson, almost always done individually or in very small groups:

            Montessorian stages of development that inspire changing educational practices:

                        Absorbent Mind: 0-6 years of age

                        Acquisition of culture and symbolic thinking: 6-12 years

                        Transformation: 12-18

Visuals:

            Archival materials from Dr. Montessori’s quite dramatic life.

            Adults being trained to work in Montessori classrooms in St. Louis, Missouri.

            Content of the film is illustrated with film from:

                        A toddler classroom near San Francisco.

                        Two “primary”  (ages 3 to 6) classrooms, one near San Francisco and one in St. Louis, Missouri.

                        A “lower elementary” classroom (ages 6-9) near San Francisco.

                        An “upper elementary” classroom (ages 9-12) near San Francisco.

                        A high school in Ohio.

Maria Montessori’s life:

            Born 1870 in a small town in Eastern Italy.

            First Italian woman to graduate from medical school.

            Worked with the developmentally delayed.

            Founded the Casa dei Bambini in Rome in 1909 for poor children.

            The movement quickly spread world-wide and Dr. Montessori traveled widely to train teachers.

            Spent much of World War II in India, invited by Ghandi to set up schools there.

            Returned after the war to live in the Netherlands.

            Died in l952.

Consultant:

Annette Haines, Ed.D. is the Director of Training for the Montessori Training Center of St. Louis. She has worked in Montessori education since 1972. Her doctorate in education is from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.  She lectures widely on Montessori educational practices. 

Related film:

            Part of the GIANTS OF PSYCHOLOGY series

            Part of the EARLY CHILDHOOD SERIES

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