Episode 10: Dr Montessori and Creativity

In this first of three podcasts on the theme of creativity, Barbara and David discuss Maria Montessori’s unique take on children and art. She did not focus on children’s naïve attempts at painting, colouring and Play-Doh, as is usually practised at nurseries. Instead she facilitated the young child’s desire to acquire grown-up skills — for example, seeing subtle differences in colours and shapes, and handling proper tools and materials — and she supported the child generally in discovering his or her authentic self. Montessori believed that together these early advances would foster, in due course, the child’s real creative potential.

Om Podcasten

In the early 20th Century, Maria Montessori transformed our appreciation of the importance of early childhood to every individual and to society. Her followers are astounded by the ongoing relevance of her insights to contemporary issues — freedom, justice, peace, nature, identity, progress, independence, faith and love — all thoughtfully explored by Montessori experts and guests in this series of podcasts. The hosts are Barbara Isaacs, leading Montessori authority and President of Montessori Europe, and David Gettman, founder of My Montessori Child software, which sponsors this podcast.