Montessori: Let the Child be the Guide

Alexandre Mourot’s documentary offers both an introduction to Maria Montessori’s famed educational philosophy and an opportunity to see it in practice. Mourot first uses home movies to show how his toddler daughter learned by exploring her world, illustrating Montessori’s belief that children are best taught through a loosely structured system that encourages progress by letting kids choose to do what they find interesting. And this occurs in an environment conducive to stoking their natural curiosity while also allowing them to develop independence and self-confidence, as well as a spirit of sociability and cooperation. Employing excerpts from Montessori’s writings, as well as Mourot’s own observations, the film features footage shot over the course of a year (beginning in early 2015) at the Jeanne d’Arc School in Roubaix, the oldest Montessori locale in France. Mourot’s cameras simply observe 28 students, ages 3-6, as they experiment in solo projects and group activities, all under the gentle guidance of teacher Christian Maréchal, who sets out materials for the students in the morning and then offers to help through the day as requested. The children are all charming, of course, although a star does emerge—little Géraud Marion, who concentrates on his own work but also pads about the classroom observing what other children are doing, seeing what he can learn. Mourot even catches the triumphant moment when, with some assistance from Maréchal, Géraud reads for the first time. While obviously designed to promote Montessori education, this film can also be appreciated for being a lovely portrait of children who learn by playing. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)