A FAILED CIRCULATION: THE MONTESSORI METHOD AND TEACHING MATERIALS IN REPUBLICAN CHINA (1912-1949)

Abstract

Montessori method arrived in China at the time when Chinese scholars wanted to established Chinese version kindergartens with modern and scientific teaching method and tools. Through translation and expert coming to China, Chinese scholars introduced Montessori thought into China. However, the study on Montessori method only stopped at the step of translating Montessori’s theory and trying to reshape the didactic materials. In spite of two short-lived success examples in the 1920s and 1930s, it was never large-scale applied in China. Except the expensive of the didactic tools, lacking spokesman and teachers were the main reason for the failure of the method.