Montessori, “Formation,” and the Adult Learner

Abstract

Although some have attempted to appropriate elements of Montessori education to select groups of adults (e.g., for learning disabilities, second language acquisition, dementia patients), there have been no comprehensive attempts to validate the adaptation of this approach to the adult learner in general. This exploratory study attempts to provide a rationale as to why it is developmentally legitimate to adapt this pedagogical method to adult education. This is attempted through a consideration of the aim and purpose of Montessori education as well as Maria Montessori’s concept of human development. This paper concludes by envisioning initial suggestions for Montessori adult education.