Customer Reviews

Maria Montessori: Her Life and Work (Plume)

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This is the book that opened Montessori's theories and achievements to me in a way her own writing never managed to. The Standings are not unbiased, having worked with Dr. Montessori --- but they do an excellent job of weaving Montessori's life story with her teaching discoveries and methods. If someone is interested in learning about the Montessori method, and can only read one book, this is the one. There is another biography by Rita Kramer that looks good, but I haven't gotten to it yet. Good luck!

This book is technically a biography, but it contains a very dense summary of Montessori practice and philosophy. E.M. Standing worked closely with Maria Montessori in the writing of it and she read much of the manuscript. Although not written by Maria Montessori, much of it sounds as if it could be her words. This book is heavy on philosophy and includes elements that I have not previously seen in other books such as the sensitive periods for "Learning Good Manners" and "Grammar."

I have read this work for many years and still find something new about this genius who was far ahead of her times. Generations of children have had a better life because of her unique way of "following the child." She wrote pamphlets on ecology, protecting the corals, protecting the ecosystems, water cycles, education for peace, reality education, time lines many, many years before anyone else.