Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook: A Short Guide to Her Ideas and Materials
This is the book that Maria Montesorri wrote in response to requests from thousands of American parents and teachers. A short, illustrated guide to the use of the Montessori classroom materials, it shows how to set up a “children’s house”—an environment for learning where children can be their own masters, free to learn at their own pace.
Frames for lacing and buttoning, geometrical wooden inserts, sound cylinders, sandpapers letters, colored numerical rods: these are familiar features of any Montesorri classroom, whether in the pioneering days or today. Dr. Montesorri explains how to use these materials with preschool children to stimulate their powers of observation, recognition, judgment, and classification.
These self-correcting learning tools are the original “teaching machines” for young children. Inherently logical and aesthetically pleasing, they were designed to hone the child’s visual, auditory, and tactile perceptions. Dr. Montesorri stresses that each child approaches the apparatus differently. The role of the adult, whether teacher or parent, is to let the child experiment, perceive his own mistakes, and run his own risks in learning.
(With black-and white illustrations throughout.)
Reviews (56)
I am a strong believer in Dr Montessori, however ...
I am a strong believer in Dr Montessori, however this item should be banished as it is available free for download at other websites. Also this item lacks all of the images, but fails to clearly state this.
Maria Montessori is cutting edge
I am a great admirer of Maria Montessori and her teaching methods, which are revolutionary even today. In this book she describes the philosophy of freedom given to the child within the carefully prepared environment of the Montessori classroom. She also describes some of the specific teaching materials used for sensory, math, and languagev education. The materials themselves are often ingenious, leading the child to a level of achievement not seen in traditional education (for example, the child may understand advanced number concepts and begin writing and reading words at age four). A significant part of Montessori education for very young children is teaching and then expecting independent self-care and care of the environment (for example, children assist in preparing snacks, serve the snacks, and then clean up). Part of the philosophy, as stated in this book, is to allow maximum child independence with minimum adult intervention, only that which is required to initiate a child's response (for example, demonstrating an action which the child is to imitate). I am looking forward to reading more of Montessori's work. She managed, through careful and systematic observation of the child, to come to conclusions which are now being confirmed through brain research (for example, she realized that early adulthood represented a still developing brain; this has been confirmed through the most recent research). So this brilliant woman is still cutting edge 100 years after enumerating her observations.
great insight into Montessori's mind, not a how to book
This book is great for explaining the very basics of the montessori manipulatives and their primary function. it's good for background and knowledge into Montessori's methods and thinking (for primary aged children). It is NOT, however, a how to or instruction guide for Montessori. you won't gleen much about how to use things (other than one or maybe two basic functions) from this book. for that you need montessori albums, which will cost you a considerable amount of money. i think this book is useful to people wanting to know more about Montessori and how she came up with the manips themselves or saw the children react to them but if you're trying to emulate the montessori method in your home and need more information, your money would be better spent elsewhere. for that i would recommend: Teaching Montessori in the Home by Elizabeth Hainstock.
No Illustrations
This book is a piece of junk because it literally has no illustrations in it. I'd be happy to know what the corresponding illustrations are when noted in the text (eg see image 2), but the images just arent there. So this book is basically worthless. I wish i had returned it when i had the chance. Total waste of money!
The truth!
Montessori is the way! If you follow it, you already know you need this book in your arsenal.
Easy read
Great intro book to the Montessori method. Easy to read. Lots of examples and the best part is that it was written by Maria Montessori.
Easy to read quick review by Maria Montessori of her ...
Easy to read quick review by Maria Montessori of her methods and the logic behind them. It gives enough detail to be a high level read but if you really want to implement the method, then its recommended to get the more detailed book "the Montessori Method" also by Maria Montessori.
Missing pages
It's a fine book I'm sure, but there are pages missing in the copy I bought >:(
A helpful guide to the basics of the montessori method
I want to understand the philosophy behind the method, and I found this little book to be very enlightening. Maria Montessori made the observation of children her life's work, and we are the beneficiaries of it. The tools she created for the instruction of little ones is timeless, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her literature that explains in detail the mind of the child.
Everyone should know Montessori’s work
This is a great overview of the method and philosophy. I especially like her conclusions that the environment determines the character of man.
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