Basic Montessori Paperback – May 15, 1988

I purchased this book to see if it would provide some insight on tie-ins between learning and movement and suffice it to say, I was not disappointed. The instructions are highly detailed, while also providing ample explanation of the underlying theory behind the approach and the individual exercises with the materials themselves.As someone who has taught complex movement for over 20 years, the level of detail makes a great deal of sense -- as long as one takes into account Montessori's teaching philosophy. Montessori did not believe in siloing or separating out intellectual activity from movement and viewed learning from more of a holistic perspective. With that in mind, the level of detail found within this book makes complete sense. As I have found with teaching, even the smallest movement or hand placement can be imitated by someone learning, i.e. while the instructor or guide knows what is important.Part of the reason is that the student or pupil does not yet have the ability to filter out what is relevant and is not relevant to the lesson being taught. If the instructions seem intimidating at first, I would recommend looking at them as both movement and intellectual exercises with an emphasis on continual learning and improvement on both ends.One thing that has kept me teaching throughout all these years is how much I have learned about what I do (or don't do) when watching others learn or imitate. This is a great book that shows how learning is learning, no matter what the milieu.

I'm here now looking for Montessori books for 5+ and realized I needed to leave a rating for this excellent book. I bought several home-how-to books, but this is the one I use day in and day out. Yes, others are easier to read (tiny print for my aging eyes), look better and have more pictures/a nicer layout/etc. But after reading them all, this is the one that I can pick out 1-2 activities per day, do a quick skim and then be able to do the activities with my daughter.I am doing Montessori at home to supplement preschool and have relied completely on books for training. I recommend getting a few different books, and this is definitely one to include.btw, he also includes how to's re: making the toys at home yourself (and also tips when it's just easier to buy it instead). Very helpful. I just hope that he wrote something for 5+, too.

This book contains so much detail and has fascinating info in the introduction on Montessori and the theory behind all the activities. The activities are outlined step by step in so much detail. You will have a very clear idea of how to present activities to your child and a good list of activities for them to work on. The detail helps a lot as well if you want to DIY some of the activities, as it can be quite pricey to purchase some items.

This book is very easy to read and, even though I'm no expert in the topic, it gives a pretty good insight of what the Montessori method is about; what Maria Montessori was aiming for and what she was not aiming for.I especially like the way it clearly explains the how and the why of the different aspects of the method that I was not clear about, like: preparing and maintaining the environment, how to present an activity, and how to let the child discover the world at his own pace and rhithm

Of the four books I have about using the Montessori Method at home with this age group, this is by far the best in some ways. It gives the clearest understanding of the sequence of activities, dividing them into groups or "periods"--and of the flexibility of the sequence. It has the clearest explanations of the presentation of each set of materials, and of the different exercises that can be done (in order) with each, as well as giving a good idea of which exercises lead directly or indirectly to which others. It has helpful tips for making some of the materials yourself at home (and of course instructions for making many more can be found on the internet).And it has the best explanation of how to follow the Montessori method at home. Here are a few quotes that really opened my eyes:"Imagine that the child has recently been given a number of very high quality presentations, the cleaned and polished materials are neatly stored in their designted places in the carefully ordered Montessori environment, you are sitting expectantly in the corner waiting to observe some of that remarkable Montessori self-teaching, and what is the child doing? Playing with the cat. Sound frustrating? Well, it shouldn't! We must be very careful not to get in the frame of mind that there is anything wrong with the child's playing with the cat, nor indeed with any typically childlike behavior. The point cannot be emphasized too strongly that the Montessori environment is only there to help the child. Forcing it on the child, making evident our expectations of the wonders that Montessori's method can work...will only cause harm and distress.""A presentation to a young child should never consist, in whole or in part, of verbal instructions. The essence of a good presentation is that you don't explain the activity to the child--you show it.""You must not draw attention to error...When an error occurs, you must decide whether it happened because the child was momentarily distracted or careless (in which case you simply ignore the error and continue as though it didn't happen), or if the error was fundamental to the concepts being explored (such as confusion about terminology or organization). In the latter case, you should gracefully and without any expression of disappointment bring the activity to a close. Later, at another unrelated time, you can give a special presentation that clears up the particular confusion in the child's mind. This may mean going back one or two activities to re-establish the necessary fundamental principles."The downside is that the book's emphasis on perfection can be quite intimidating. The directions for Pouring Beans between Two Jugs comprise 26 steps. The page on how to present activities states, "Each presentation you give must be absolutely perfect..." While this may be the case in Montessori schools, homeschooling parents may find it intimidating and unrealistic to the point of immobilization.I do recommend buying this book. If it's too perfectionistic and intimidating, then also buy Teach Me to Do It Myself: Montessori Activities for You and Your Child, which has many of the same activities with more accessible instructions, though without giving nearly as thorough an understanding of the underlying principles.

I'm new to Montessori and borrowed this book from a friend- I quickly learned how important it would be to have my own due to all of the great activity descriptions. I felt like it gave a nice overview of the montessori method- enough that I was hooked. I have since checked out Montessori From the Start from the Library and finished it. They didn't have this book at my local library so that's why I purchased it. However, I think I would have wanted to anyway because i reference it so much.

meme si c ets un peu vieux style comme livre par rapport au nouveau livre qui vienne de sortir . moi j aime

The most readable Montessori book I have seen so far. Much more readable than the ones written by Montessori herself. The best thing about the book is that all the activities are split up in modules: one module of the aim, another on the materials (with DIY hints), another one presentation techniques. Also there are nice line diagrams for all the materials. It is easy to find you way to the relevant materials in this book.

After one falls in love in Maria's methodology and doesnt know from where to start at home this is the best book which provides you with overview of various activities for toddlers. The activities are sorted in 7 phases and many of them you can DIY at home, warmly recommended. It helped me a lot to incorporate montessori in our home

I teach Montessori and it's good to have an official guide instead of adapted teachings.

A very good book. Must read for mother's who are planning to send there kids for Montessori school