Ecología y desarrollo humano: la cuestión de la infancia

Abstract

The ecology of human development has long been an important aspect of educational research; since Maria Montessori’s educational works and Urie Bronfenbrenner’s studies, ecology became an integral part of an updated vision regarding the educational practices. Today’s discussions about the biological and social environment, its protection and sustainability, recall the attention of scholars and educators on this issue. Pope Francis’s encyclical about the environmental crisis asks all people, regardless of their religious belief, to take initiatives in order to protect the environment and to promote better living conditions for all people and even for all living beings. The ecological question recalls the need for the protection of the main educational environment in the child’s life, which is the family. A recent United Nations Human Rights Council’s resolution points out this purpose and constitutes a basis for a deep reflection upon the best practices to implement in order to offer all children the care they need and to ensure the protection of their rights. Montessori provides interesting suggestions for the educational practice.