Basic Montessori: Learning Activities For Under-Fives

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.

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

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

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

cant wait to get time to read in full, so far only skimmed.

Item is as described. Arrived by estimated date.

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. Teach Me to Do It Myself: Montessori Activities for You and Your Child