Montessori Play And Learn: A Parent's Guide to Purposeful Play from Two to Six [Paperback]

Lesley Britton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 29, 1992

We all want the best possible starts in life for our children, and one of the best possible starts in life, educationally, is the "method" pioneered by Maria Montessori and taught successfully today throughout the world.

Now, Lesley Britton, the leading Montessori practitioner in England for more than twenty years, will show parents how to bring Montessori home. If you would like to facilitate the development of your child's unique personality, make it possible for him to develop to his full intellectual capacity, and help him become socially and emotionally well adjusted, then this is the book for you.

Montessori Play and Learn is packed with ideas, activities, and games that can fit into your normal routine and help supplement preschool learning for your child. For planning your home, introducing your child to the supermarket or the neighborhood, and helping him discover other people and cultures, this book provides valuable tips and insights that help parents and children grow and learn together.
-- Create hundreds of learning opportunities from everyday life
-- Learn dozens of games and activities to help prepare children for mathematics, reading, science, and writing
-- Make your home environment as stimulating for your child as the best Montessori preschool.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

We all want the best possible starts in life for our children, and one of the best possible starts in life, educationally, is the "method" pioneered by Maria Montessori and taught successfully today throughout the world.

Now, Lesley Britton, the leading Montessori practitioner in England for more than twenty years, will show parents how to bring Montessori home. If you would like to facilitate the development of your child's unique personality, make it possible for him to develop to his full intellectual capacity, and help him become socially and emotionally well adjusted, then this is the book for you.

Montessori Play and Learn is packed with ideas, activities, and games that can fit into your normal routine and help supplement preschool learning for your child. For planning your home, introducing your child to the supermarket or the neighborhood, and helping him discover other people and cultures, this book provides valuable tips and insights that help parents and children grow and learn together.
-- Create hundreds of learning opportunities from everyday life
-- Learn dozens of games and activities to help prepare children for mathematics, reading, science, and writing
-- Make your home environment as stimulating for your child as the best Montessori preschool.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 edition (December 29, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517591820
• ISBN-13: 978-0517591826
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 0.5 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Family Activities
  • #34 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Reference

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent tool for parents of pre-school age kids, January 15, 2004

By 

Shaz "oi-you!" (Naples, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Montessori Play And Learn: A Parent's Guide to Purposeful Play from Two to Six (Paperback)

Montessori school can be unbelieveably expensive (approx. 500 dollars per 8 week sessions, and that's just half days!), and your child has to be "approved" in most institutions. Based on the teaching of Maria Montessori, it is designed to help toddlers and young children learn in five simple steps: observation, participation, practice, "eureka" movement, and performance. This learning process can help youngsters be well ahead of the game by the time they go into Kindergarten. While a Montessori school can help give your kids interaction with kids of all ages, you can still apply this method of learning in the home, as Montessori pointed out: "Parents are still the child's first and most important teachers".

"Montessori Play and Learn" is a great tool to have in applying this learning method at home. It isn't difficult or complicated but does require dedication to achieve your goal. In other words, buying and reading this book and performing only a handful of the ideas on an irregular basis will not get your child where you'd like him/her to be. Activities are broken down by age groups, and games can be something as simple as putting 10 bottles of herbs and spices on the table for your child to smell and explore. Other tips included exploring the neighborhood, setting the dinner table, allowing them to do tasks (such as applying lip balm) you'd normally do for them (this gives them a sense of accomplishment), and other activities that stimulate our children's inborn motivation to learn. Worth finding a used or out-of-print copy until Crown decides to publish a revised edition.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great for parents wanting to educate in the home, March 20, 1998

By 

Stacy "Librarian" (Wonderous New England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Montessori Play And Learn: A Parent's Guide to Purposeful Play from Two to Six (Paperback)

If parents are the first teachers, and home is the first school, then this is the instruction manual! Great ideas for helping young children learn in a way that they enjoy. Easy to follow examples trancend Montessori-these are activities every parent should do with their child.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Montessori resource for the home, February 17, 2006

By 

C. DePaula "sagira" (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Montessori Play And Learn: A Parent's Guide to Purposeful Play from Two to Six (Paperback)

I was looking for a good way to teach my preschool son at home using some elements of the Montessori method. However, I wanted to go at my own pace and in a relaxed way. If you need a more regimented and structured Montessori method at home read Elizabeth Hainstock's books. Leslie Britton's book is well-written, concise and hits all the main points. I really like the games and activities designed for children from two to six. I am able to pick and choose and with home materials to teach my son at home. My son is two so he's only able to participate in a few exercises. Can't recommend it enough.