From caring to caring.

The professional traits of the Montessori teacher

Abstract

More than 150 years after Maria Montessori’s birth and following a series of research projects examining the reception and spread of her pedagogy in Italy, this essay outlines the current implications of Maria Montessori’s thought with respect to the professionalism of educators who work in ECEC services, describing the trajectory of the progressive enrichment of their educational competence. In particular, starting from the key concepts of Montessori thought - autonomy, developmental material, and sensitive periods - the essay will outline the characteristics of an educator capable of promoting the integral development of the child 'from within', by reconciling the spontaneity of development with the artifices of didactics.