Maria Montessori: Her Life and Legacy

Summary: Born more than 25 years before Piaget or Vygotsky, Maria Montessori understood the constructivistic nature of all learning. As she observed children building their understanding of the world, she developed materials and approaches to education that are now used, in part, in most early childhood classrooms across the world. She realized the tremendous power of intrinsic motivation and sought to capitalize upon it, especially for children between the ages of three and six. Montessori's conception of the changing roles the classroom environment and teacher should play for students of various ages is presented with carefully shot film of toddler, preschool, elementary school and secondary classes at work in accredited Montessori schools. Students will also learn of Dr. Montessori's own dramatic life through archival visuals and will be challenged to think about what they think are the components of exemplary educational practice.