Ayuda a la vida. Educación desde el nacimiento. Una reflexión sobre la primera infancia a partir de Maria Montessori

Abstract

The study aims to investigates a topic less debated in Montessori studies, which is the theme of childbirth, essential for the application of the Montessori's method in all age groups and also to children aged from zero to three years old. For this reason Maria Montessori's little known writings are deliberately considered. These writings are very significant for the reconstruction of her educational thinking which has always seen the childbirth as the starting point for a reflection of the newborn education and a transformation of humanity considering a review of its educational processes. This reflection is indispensable today  in the absence of specific training courses to "welcome the secret of the child who comes into the world" which were the educational courses for birth attendants starting from the end of the 1940s. Tracing the history of these Montessori educational courses and of the great personalities who have designed them, can be used to rethink Montessori differentiating instruction courses in order to acquire skills related also to welcome the newborn. This means adding in these educational courses specific learning modules about “education from birth” according to a definition beloved by Montessori.