Basic Montessori: Learning Activities For Under-Fives (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Maria Montessori, who lived from 1870 to 1952, was a brilliant and original educator, scientist, healer, humanitarian and philosopher..." (more)
Key Phrases: Sensorial Activities, Sandpaper Letters, Puzzle Map (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was a brilliant and original educator. Her work with children stressed the importance of autonomy as an educational goal. Renewed interest in her philosophy and teaching methods and the clear format of this book make it a good choice for public libraries. There is detailed information on her philosophy and an in-depth explanation of her teaching methods. Coverage of practical, sensorial, cultural, mathematic, and language activities includes a statement of the activity's purpose, materials needed (and suggestions on how to make them at home), and exercises. A good reference tool for everyone wanting to know more about or intending to try the Montessori method whether they are parents, teachers, or day-care personnel. Annette V. Janes, Hamilton P.L., Mass.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Gettman's advice on how to create an effective learning environment should be helpful for parents as well as educators and day-care workers."--Booklist

"A good reference tool for everyone wanting to know more about or intending to try the Montessori method whether they are parents, teachers, or day-care personnel."--Library Journal
-- Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (May 15, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312018649
• ISBN-13: 978-0312018641
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #119,534 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

111 of 117 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A complete guide, vital reading for parents and educators, October 6, 1996

By A Customer

Maria Montessori had a huge influence on primary education throughout the world. Unfortunately, a cult-like mystique surrounds the Montessori method, which has prevented it being taken seriously by many educators and parents. Basic Montessori opens the celebrated philosophy and method to a more general public for the first time. It clearly explains her ideas and provides a step-by-step guide to the Montessori learning activities most commonly used with under-fives - and even shows how to work with a child at home. No parent or educator should miss out on her marvellous insights into how young children learn

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Montessori home should be without it!, March 31, 2002

By A Customer

This book has been the clearest and most concise version of the Montessori method I have found yet. The introduction is excellent and seems to cover all the history of Maria Montessori and her philosophy without confusing issues or making it over complex. It gave me a real feeling of being able to implement her ideas in my home without having to hugely change the way my daughters lived. I found the descriptions of the materials and how to present them excellent; simple, as the presentations should be, ordered, so I knew what I should tackle next and with lots of varieties, so I could make good use of the materials I made or bought. I found a lot of confidence from this book - partly in my parenting techniques and partly in my ability to take to the do-it-yourself stores and make my own materials using his descriptions! If you are going to have one Montessori book - have this one!

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for really understanding Montessori Method, but a bit intimidating, April 3, 2008

By	MYOB (Radford, VA United States) - See all my reviews

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.