Origin, diffusion and commercialization of Montessori material in the first third of the 20th century

Abstract

Over the years, many studies have been developed on the materials used in teaching. Some research is aimed at presenting sources that allow us to systematically study these elements. With the commercial development of the production of didactic materials, we have been witnessing, since the end of the 19th century, the genesis and growth of manufactures aimed at educational environments. These manufactures generate production and marketing flows that sometimes determine the implementation of pedagogical innovations. On the other hand, the material associated with certain teaching methods has become, over the years, a hallmark of many of these methods. It has been used to disseminate teaching methodologies and has sometimes been presented as a badge. The Montessori Method and its dissemination are a clear example of this type of practice. This work studies the introduction of the Montessori Method in different countries, the establishment of patents and material catalogues. The internationalization of the method and the commercial interests associated with it are the subject of analysis through different sources.