Montessori and the Catholic Church

Letter by Pope Paul VI regarding the centenary of the birth of Maria Montessori ~ dated Sept. 17, 1970

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Regarding the Problem of Education in the Modern World:

"School needs transformation

Maria Montessori had the genius to treat the child, even the very small child, as a person, -a living being with his or her own laws of development. From then on, she did not begin by imposing laws which are conceived by adults and are unsuitable for children, but she never ceased insisting that in order to fulfill his part the educator must agree to stand aside, not try to impose himself, to be there, yet with complete discretion, watching the child's early reactions, which are all the more meaningful if they are expressed in an atmosphere of collective liberty and personal autonomy. As she herself so happily wrote: "This spiritual embryo which the child is, develops according to a plan. In it is a concealed adult, an unknown child, an imprisoned living being who must be liberated. This is the most urgent duty of upbringing. In this sense, to liberate is to know. It is therefore a question of getting to know the unknown" (Maria Montessori, <L'enfant>, Paris, Descee de grower, 2nd ed. 1959, p. 88-89).

In order to play its part in this awakening, the school needs to be profoundly transformed. It ought to become a true home, where the child can feel at home, and not under repression, even though subject to study and supervision. The school lay-out and agreeable furnishings become elements which help the teachers to guide the child's development while respecting it. The teacher can be attentive to children's "sensitive periods" and help them to make a progressive discovery of their own possibilities and bring their best potentialities to flower. It is a question of educating for life, and such education naturally cannot be given in any but a lively way, not neglecting physical education and sense education, drawing and the art of music."

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Regarding religious upbringing of children:

"Maria Montessori therefore rightly insisted upon religious upbringing (<L'education religieuse, la vie en Jesus Christ>, Paris, Desclee de Brouwer, 1956). We think the prodigious fecundity of her method is far from having been exhausted in this domain. She was convinced that the pedagogy inherent in the liturgy contained the same principles as her own theory of secular education, and she resolutely took the ways towards liturgical renewal which were opened by Saint Pius X. Just as the school had to be the children's home, so the church had to be the home of God's children. Just as children's school life prepares them for their later lives, so their sacramental and liturgical initiation is the porch through which they are brought into the community of the children of God. Religious instruction certainly continues to be always necessary, for the facts of revelation are not foreknown in the child's consciousness, and the child has to be prepared for receiving them as a personal gift from God, his most loving Father. So, each child is ready to feel wonder at his meeting with God, according to his age."

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I hope to explore the church's stance more closely when I return from my trip.  In the meantime, please check out these links by fellow Catholic educators:

At A Gypsy Caravan:

Montessori Practical Life---Care of Self

Montessori Practical Life ---The Kitchen

Stefoodie has a simply yummy literary, Montessori post that will surely inspire you to "get your kids cooking in the kitchen!"

Elizabeth at Real Learning shows us some photos and the wonder found in her family's Journey to Jerusalem via the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

When I return, I hope to do a little more work on my Montessori blog: Casa dei Bambini (Children's House)

If you're interested in reading more on Montessori, check out this blog post:  An Appreciation for Maria Montessori

Comments

[Rebecca]

OOH CAY, I am excited about your Montessori blog. Can't wait to visit it! Have a wonderful camping weekend and a Blessed Easter!

[Denise in Ohio]

This is wonderful. I'm posting something at the beginning of the week at my blog to alert readers.
Thanks Cay - and Happy Easter Season!
Blessings,
Denise
http://StEAsetonblog.blogspot.com/

[Steve Bogner]

My kids attend a Catholic Montessori school which uses the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The combination of Catholic formation, Montessori education and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is outstanding. THey all fit together nicely!