Maria Montessori between Medicine and Pedagogy. Roots, actuality and educational perspectives

Abstract

This paper examines the thinking of Maria Montessori in relation to the contribution of other branches of educational science to the epistemological status of pedagogy. Specifically, it situates the interconnections between Montessori’s approach and medicine (primarily auxology and child neuropsychiatry) understood as a Naturwissenschaften, as well as the practical implications of this interrelatedness, within a heuristic framework that extends beyond the field of special education. Analysis of Montessori’s scientific output around the turn of the twentieth century is followed by a proposed outline of its present-day relevance, in terms of promising avenues of inquiry informed by Montessori’s initial ideas and educational work and recent neuropsychological research.