FROM HUMAN CAPITAL TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: THE TRANSFORMATIVE POTENTIAL OF MONTESSORI EDUCATION.
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| Title: | FROM HUMAN CAPITAL TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: THE TRANSFORMATIVE POTENTIAL OF MONTESSORI EDUCATION. |
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| Authors: | SCIPPO, Stefano1 stefano.scippo@unitus.it |
| Source: | Journal Plus Education / Educaţia Plus. 2025 Special Issue, Vol. 38, p337-348. 12p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Montessori method of education, *Human capital, *Autonomy (Psychology), *Educational change, Reconciliation, Social cohesion, Human Development Index |
| People: | Montessori, Maria, 1870-1952, Sen, Amartya, 1933- |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the potential of Montessori education to contribute to a transition from the dominant human capital paradigm to a human development perspective, as conceptualised by Amartya Sen. Drawing on the work of Maria Montessori, it argues that true social defence does not rely on weaponry or economic productivity, but rather on forming individuals capable of living freely and harmoniously with others. Montessori’s vision, which prioritises autonomy, empathy, and social cohesion, resonates with contemporary calls for education that fosters not only cognitive skills but also human dignity and interdependence. While empirical studies confirm that Montessori students perform equally or better in academic assessments, this alone is insufficient. The true promise of Montessori education lies in its potential to cultivate reflective, socially responsible individuals. However, such potential is contingent upon faithful implementation of Montessori principles. Based on recent research from different countries, the article highlights structural and cultural obstacles to high-fidelity implementation, especially in public education systems. The paper concludes that quantitative growth of Montessori schools must be accompanied by qualitative improvement to truly impact social cohesion and peace-building. Educational reform is thus essential—not only to safeguard the Montessori legacy, but to make education a tool for human flourishing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal Plus Education / Educaţia Plus is the property of Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, Gabriela Keleman and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
| FullText | Links: – Type: pdflink Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: ehh DbLabel: Education Research Complete An: 188787973 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: FROM HUMAN CAPITAL TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: THE TRANSFORMATIVE POTENTIAL OF MONTESSORI EDUCATION. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22SCIPPO%2C+Stefano%22">SCIPPO, Stefano</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> stefano.scippo@unitus.it</i> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+Plus+Education+%2F+Educaţia+Plus%22">Journal Plus Education / Educaţia Plus</searchLink>. 2025 Special Issue, Vol. 38, p337-348. 12p. – Name: Subject Label: Subject Terms Group: Su Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Montessori+method+of+education%22">Montessori method of education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Human+capital%22">Human capital</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Autonomy+%28Psychology%29%22">Autonomy (Psychology)</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+change%22">Educational change</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reconciliation%22">Reconciliation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+cohesion%22">Social cohesion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Human+Development+Index%22">Human Development Index</searchLink> – Name: SubjectPerson Label: People Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="PE" term="%22Montessori%2C+Maria%2C+1870-1952%22">Montessori, Maria, 1870-1952</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="PE" term="%22Sen%2C+Amartya%2C+1933-%22">Sen, Amartya, 1933-</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: This paper explores the potential of Montessori education to contribute to a transition from the dominant human capital paradigm to a human development perspective, as conceptualised by Amartya Sen. Drawing on the work of Maria Montessori, it argues that true social defence does not rely on weaponry or economic productivity, but rather on forming individuals capable of living freely and harmoniously with others. Montessori’s vision, which prioritises autonomy, empathy, and social cohesion, resonates with contemporary calls for education that fosters not only cognitive skills but also human dignity and interdependence. While empirical studies confirm that Montessori students perform equally or better in academic assessments, this alone is insufficient. The true promise of Montessori education lies in its potential to cultivate reflective, socially responsible individuals. However, such potential is contingent upon faithful implementation of Montessori principles. Based on recent research from different countries, the article highlights structural and cultural obstacles to high-fidelity implementation, especially in public education systems. The paper concludes that quantitative growth of Montessori schools must be accompanied by qualitative improvement to truly impact social cohesion and peace-building. Educational reform is thus essential—not only to safeguard the Montessori legacy, but to make education a tool for human flourishing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Journal Plus Education / Educaţia Plus is the property of Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, Gabriela Keleman and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
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| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 12 StartPage: 337 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Montessori method of education Type: general – SubjectFull: Human capital Type: general – SubjectFull: Autonomy (Psychology) Type: general – SubjectFull: Educational change Type: general – SubjectFull: Reconciliation Type: general – SubjectFull: Social cohesion Type: general – SubjectFull: Human Development Index Type: general – SubjectFull: Montessori, Maria, 1870-1952 Type: general – SubjectFull: Sen, Amartya, 1933- Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: FROM HUMAN CAPITAL TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: THE TRANSFORMATIVE POTENTIAL OF MONTESSORI EDUCATION. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: SCIPPO, Stefano IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 02 M: 03 Text: 2025 Special Issue Type: published Y: 2025 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 1842077X Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 38 Titles: – TitleFull: Journal Plus Education / Educaţia Plus Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
