Da “criança que não aprende” a “toda criança é capaz de aprender”: lições históricas de Pereira, Itard, Séguin e Montessori

Abstract

This thesis consists of an analysis of the first experiences of schooling of children's with disabilities in the 18th and 19th centuries, and beginning of 20th century. It also identifies educational principles and assumptions that can contribute to inclusive education of these children today, through the works by Jacob Rodrigues Pereira (1715-1780), Jean Marc Gaspard Itard (1774-1838), Edouard Séguin (1812-1880) and Maria Montessori (1870-1952). These educators provided conditions for special needs children to learn and develop by keeping away from the medical-clinical interventions and giving priority to the pedagogical approach. Since it is a theoretical study, it considers the theoretical production in the field of special needs education, including reading and analysis of materials (books, articles, thesis and dissertations) about the life, studies and experiences developed by Pereira, Itard, Séguin and Montessori – the secondary sources of information. Furthermore, the study mainly addresses the full texts and works of the educators investigated – the primary sources. To understand the historical meaning of the theoretical and practical materials published by Pereira, Itard, Séguin and Montessori, the analyses were based on four categories, considering life, process of academic training, theoretical inspirations and, mainly, the educational proposals of each of these scholars investigated. Finally, an analysis is made to show the common points among the works of Pereira, Itard, Séguin and Montessori. In addition, the main aspects of their work – pointing out to formation of special needs education and to the roots of socalled inclusion process – are presented