The Montessori Method today (video interviews)
THE MONTESSORI METHOD: THE REASONS FOR ITS TIMELINESS
The president of the Opera Montessori Benedetto Scoppola talks to us about the work and discoveries of the Italian scientist who revolutionized pedagogy and educational methods. Central to the intervention is understanding why the Montessori Method is still relevant today, many years after the birth of the first Children’s Homes.
Research and realization of the interviews: Reginaldo Palermo, Tecnica della Scuola (July 2023).
PRIMARY AND CHILDHOOD MONTESSORI METHOD: TIPS FOR APPLYING IT
The Montessori method is more than 100 years old but is still relevant and vital. The ‘heart’ of the method consists in ‘putting the child, his needs and his motivations at the centre’ of the educational process. Marinella Sciacca, a primary school teacher in Milan, talks to us about how is fundamental in nursery and primary schools the organization by the teacher of the learning environment.
Research and realization of the interviews: Reginaldo Palermo, Tecnica della Scuola (July 2023).
EXPERIMENTATION OF THE METHOD IN PRIME SECONDARY SCHOOL
In many countries the Montessori method has also been used in secondary schools for decades. For a few years now, it has also been experimented in Italy in a certain number of schools. Milena Piscozzo, school director of the IC “Massa” in Milan, leader of a national school network, talks about it. The experiment is aimed at making Montessori classes regular for lower secondary schools as well.
Research and realization of the interviews: Reginaldo Palermo, Tecnica della Scuola (July 2023).
THE MONTESSORI METHOD: EXPERIENCES FROM THE PIEDMONT REGION
These interviews were structured in such a way as to provide an overview of what the state school system is offering in Piedmont, as an experimentation of the method, trying to bring out the positive aspects, but also investigating the negative ones, the problems, the difficulties encountered or not in the training of this method, the relationship with families, and above all, the motivation of those who work with this method and see connections with what already exists and its future prospects in state schools.
Research and realization of the interviews: Paola Buffa (IUL student and nursery school teacher). The interviews are material collected as part of the research thesis “Maria Montessori between elite school and state school: reflections on the current diffusion of the Method in Italy”, IUL a.y. 2019/2020.
Video postproduction: Claudio Lacoppola
INTERVIEW WITH MARINA BRUGNONE
Marina Brugnone, has been a primary state school teacher in English and didactics for Specific learning disabilities for 27 years. Four years ago, she has activated a Montessori Method experimentation primary class at IC 2 in Acqui Terme (AL). She collaborates with the Montessori Foundation as a teacher of the method in the training courses. She has found in the Montessori approach a more relaxed way of schooling that makes children arrive at school with a smile.
Indepths and transcription of the interview
INTERVIEW WITH SONIA COLLUCCELLI
Sonia Coluccelli graduated in philosophy and has been a primary school teacher since 1994. Since 2013 she has been coordinator of the Montessori Schools Network of Upper Piedmont, and trainer and training manager for the Montessori Foundation Italy. She published “Un’altra scuola è possibile? Autori, esperienze e sguardi educativi verso percorsi scolastici in ascolto dei bambini” (Torino, Leone verde, 2015); “Il metodo Montessori oggi: riflessioni e percorsi per la didattica e l’educazione con Silvia Pietrantonio” (Milano, Corriere della Sera, 2018-2019); and “Montessori incontra…: intrecci pedagogici tra scuola montessoriana e didattiche non tradizionali” (Trento, Erickson, 2018).
She is involved in educational research and in supporting and supervising experiences that foster a dialogic approach to interpret Montessori’s thought in the light of contemporary educational questions and of the most recent contributions of pedagogy and the active school approach.
Indepths and transcription of the interview
THE MONTESSORI METHOD: INTERVIEWS WITH EDUCATORS AND MOTHERS
These interviews were structured in such a way as to provide greater knowledge of the Montessori Method applied both in school and at home by expert and specialized educators and parents, trying to bring out its positive aspects, characteristics and in some areas how it was adapted in the period of the Covid-19 health emergency.
Research and realization of the interviews: Natasha Finamore (IUL student and philosophical-existential counselor). The interviews are material collected as part of the research thesis (Supervisor Prof. Pamela Giorgi) “Help me do it alone: the Montessori method yesterday and today”, IUL 2020/2021.
INTERVIEW WITH ROSSANA MATRELLA
Rosanna Matrella is president of the “Casa dei Bambini” cooperative in Foggia, an association associated with the Opera Montessori, which manages the socio-educational services nursery, micro nursery, spring section and a nursery school. In addition to being the president, she is the coordinator of these services and a founding member. Today the cooperative also has other educators subsequently associated as its membership
INTERVIEW WITH LAURA COLOSIMO
Laura Colosino is mother and teacher of holistic techniques to adults. When her son was born she became interested in alternative educational methods, because at the age of three he was diagnosed with dyspraxia, a developmental coordination disorder which also brings with it verbal and motor disorders. This reduces the child’s autonomy and after his diagnosis carried out by a multidisciplinary team, he was recommended the Montessori Method. Now she has become a Montessori consultant and founder of the Facebook page “Cuore Montessori”.