Montessori's View of Children : From a Scientific Perspective to a Metaphysical one

Abstract

As far as the Montessori education concerned, it has been pointed out that we have relied inordinately upon the standerdized manuals. But as I try to show in the present paper, this observation is utterly unfounded and derives from a simple misunderstanding. In what follows, I would first examine Montessori's view of children, and then go on to identify the essence of the Montessori education. 1. The biological-physiological view of children Montessori's method has been regarded as scientific, and this has much to do with the fact that she has utilized the experimental techniques of natural sciences. Her "experiment" proved successful, and she identified two important notions about the development of a child, viz., building plan and concentration of attentiveness. 2. The view of socialization The problem of socialization has been much discussed in the studies of the Montessori pedagogy. Montessori was aware of the importance of socialization, but she stressed more the role of individualization in one's infancy. 3. The metaphysical view of children Montessori stressed not only a child's superficial behavioral phenomenon but his/her entire personality as well. After repeated concentration, according to her, the child has come to show some changes in his/her behavior. In it she saw the awakening of the hidden human nature, the process of "normalization" as she termed it. After examining most of Montessori's writings, I am convinced that she has succeeded in grasping the essence of education from a broader perspective. I have also found on the basis of her educational theory lies a metaphysical view of children. Educators are thus advised not simply to master pedagogical materials, but also to find in each child his/her hidden nature, and to foster it in a most appropriate manner. The key to the Montessori education is her metaphysical view of children, not its manuals.