Maria Montessori and Her Contributions to Active School and Early Childhood Education: A Systematic Study

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Title: Maria Montessori and Her Contributions to Active School and Early Childhood Education: A Systematic Study
Language: English
Authors: Pedro González-Rivera (ORCID 0000-0003-3634-7690), Johan Mendez Reyes (ORCID 0000-0002-9349-223X), Christian Torres-Medina (ORCID 0009-0008-0086-6214), Angie Guevara-Parra (ORCID 0009-0004-7318-9446)
Source: Educational Process: International Journal. Article e2026016 2026 21.
Availability: UNIVERSITEPARK Limited. iTOWER Plaza (No61, 9th floor) Merkez Mh Akar Cd No3, Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey 34382. e-mail: editor@edupij.com; Web site: http://www.edupij.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 22
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Descriptors: Early Childhood Education, Montessori Schools, Montessori Method, Active Learning, Barriers, Educational Change, Educational Principles, Educational History, Educational Philosophy
ISSN: 2147-0901
2564-8020
Abstract: Background/purpose: The challenges facing humanity in the first half of the 21st century demand a qualitative transformation of educational processes. Therefore, it is essential to revisit the most significant advances in the history of pedagogical thought and to recognize the enduring relevance of the contributions of prominent educators, including the Italian teacher, Maria Montessori. In this context, the present study aims to analyze Montessori's contributions to the Active School and early childhood education, highlighting the ongoing significance of her life and work in contemporary pedagogy. Materials/Methods: This study employed a qualitative, interpretative approach through a systematic review of scientific literature, following a documentary and hermeneutic research design. A stepwise review process was applied and is visually represented in the PRISMA flow diagram. The review followed four main stages commonly used in relevant studies: identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion. Results: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science and Scopus databases, focusing on titles, keywords, and abstracts. The initial search yielded 21,454 records, which were subsequently analyzed with VOSviewer. This software enabled the visualization of conceptual similarities, the identification of central themes in Montessori's educational philosophy, and the exploration of its intersections with the Active School approach. Conclusion: Montessori's pedagogy and legacy not only inspire contemporary educational practice but also establish a horizon for pedagogical innovation. Her work continues to challenge and enrich early childhood education in the 21st century, particularly through the principles and practices of the Active School.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1500450
Database: ERIC
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  Availability: 0
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  Data: Maria Montessori and Her Contributions to Active School and Early Childhood Education: A Systematic Study
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Pedro+González-Rivera%22">Pedro González-Rivera</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3634-7690">0000-0003-3634-7690</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Johan+Mendez+Reyes%22">Johan Mendez Reyes</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9349-223X">0000-0002-9349-223X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Christian+Torres-Medina%22">Christian Torres-Medina</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0086-6214">0009-0008-0086-6214</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Angie+Guevara-Parra%22">Angie Guevara-Parra</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7318-9446">0009-0004-7318-9446</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Educational+Process%3A+International+Journal%22"><i>Educational Process: International Journal</i></searchLink>. Article e2026016 2026 21.
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  Data: UNIVERSITEPARK Limited. iTOWER Plaza (No61, 9th floor) Merkez Mh Akar Cd No3, Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey 34382. e-mail: editor@edupij.com; Web site: http://www.edupij.com/
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  Data: 22
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Early+Childhood+Education%22">Early Childhood Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Early+Childhood+Education%22">Early Childhood Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Montessori+Schools%22">Montessori Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Montessori+Method%22">Montessori Method</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Active+Learning%22">Active Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Change%22">Educational Change</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Principles%22">Educational Principles</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+History%22">Educational History</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Philosophy%22">Educational Philosophy</searchLink>
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  Data: 2147-0901<br />2564-8020
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background/purpose: The challenges facing humanity in the first half of the 21st century demand a qualitative transformation of educational processes. Therefore, it is essential to revisit the most significant advances in the history of pedagogical thought and to recognize the enduring relevance of the contributions of prominent educators, including the Italian teacher, Maria Montessori. In this context, the present study aims to analyze Montessori's contributions to the Active School and early childhood education, highlighting the ongoing significance of her life and work in contemporary pedagogy. Materials/Methods: This study employed a qualitative, interpretative approach through a systematic review of scientific literature, following a documentary and hermeneutic research design. A stepwise review process was applied and is visually represented in the PRISMA flow diagram. The review followed four main stages commonly used in relevant studies: identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion. Results: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science and Scopus databases, focusing on titles, keywords, and abstracts. The initial search yielded 21,454 records, which were subsequently analyzed with VOSviewer. This software enabled the visualization of conceptual similarities, the identification of central themes in Montessori's educational philosophy, and the exploration of its intersections with the Active School approach. Conclusion: Montessori's pedagogy and legacy not only inspire contemporary educational practice but also establish a horizon for pedagogical innovation. Her work continues to challenge and enrich early childhood education in the 21st century, particularly through the principles and practices of the Active School.
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 22
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Early Childhood Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Montessori Schools
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Montessori Method
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Active Learning
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      – SubjectFull: Barriers
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Change
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Principles
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      – SubjectFull: Educational History
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Philosophy
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      – TitleFull: Maria Montessori and Her Contributions to Active School and Early Childhood Education: A Systematic Study
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