30 Hours - 2 semester units

Montessori philosophy is viewed from an historical perspective, and theory verses practice is examined from the perspective of a century of implementation of the method. Montessori concepts, such as the absorbent mind, sensitive periods, spiritual embryo, mneme, horme, élan vitale, development of the will, logical-mathematical mind, spiritual and moral development of the child, are examined. How the philosophy relates to the child, materials, teacher, and environment is discussed.