(Un)Conscious Decision – that is about the Motives for Choosing a Montessori Kindergarten

Abstract

Dynamic changes taking place in the contemporary social reality pose new challenges for Polish schools. The necessity to depart from a deep-rooted educational tradition and a school model which does not suit the current conditions prompts the search for alternative solutions. Consequently, for several years there has been an increase in interest in various educational offers, and education in line with the assumptions of Maria Montessori’s pedagogical concept has an important place among them. The educational process realized in Montessori institutions based on the child’s activity, subjective treatment of the pupil, respect for his individual needs, abilities and interests, support for his versatile development become a catalyst for self-development, self-education and self-training, which are so much expected from the contemporary generation of students. However, the growing popularity of Montessori institutions raises the question of how much their choice is the result of parents’ rational decision and real conviction about the value of the Montessori education system. The analysis of the empirical material gathered for this study revealed the surveyed parents’ motives for selecting a kindergarten facility for their child, as well as their expectations and opinions about education in the kindergarten working on the basis of Maria Montessori pedagogy.

Keywords

• edukacja przedszkolna, pedagogika marii montessori, przedszkole montessori, wybór przedszkola