Customer Reviews

Montessori: The Science behind the Genius

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Since Montessori is the fastest growing method of education today, young people going into the field of education want to learn about Montessori in their university classes. Until now there has never been a book well suited to this purpose; professors will relate to the perspective of another professor, especially one who is knowledgeable in all kinds of education of children. Students will come to understand more about how we educate children in traditional education, and why Montessori is so sought after as an alternative, in both private and public school settings.

Angeline Lillard, the author of "Montessori, the Science behind the Genius" is a parent, and her book is invaluable for anyone thinking of having children, or getting ready to send a child to preschool or school. It will help parents differentiate between true Montessori schools and those that use the name "Montessori" without knowing what they are doing, which is quite common since there is no copyright on use of the name.

I cannot speak highly enough of this book and I have been in the Montessori field in one way or another since 1968 when my first child entered her first Montessori class.

Lillard's thorough and readable treatment of Montessori brings together 100 years of practical wisdom with the most recent psychological research findings. It is not easy to find clear, accurate descriptions of Montessori teaching and learning; and even harder to find accessible explanations for the complex theory that underlies Montessori practice. This book does both. For those of us who have always wondered what was going on at the Montessori school in our neighborhood, Lillard's lucid prose provides a window into the classroom. And for those parents as well as as educators who wonder whether the method really "works," Lillard not only explains how, but produces evidence for why.

You can read other Montessori books and be inspired, but if you read Lillard's Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius, you will be persuaded by the sheer weight of the evidence in support of the eight foundational principles of Montessori Education. The Montessori community will love this book but I think that anyone who is interested in understanding what is wrong with traditional education should read this book. It is a scholarly work that any parent can understand. I absolutely loved the book and highly recommend it.

If you are interested in understanding the scientific basis for the success of the Montessori approach, this is the book to read. Because there have been few studies that have compared traditional and Montessori outcomes head-to-head, Lillard does the next best thing: synthesize decades of pyschological and sociological research that validates Montessori theory and practice. She clearly demonstrates that the teaching method Maria Montessori established through empirical observation and trial and error in her own classrooms has been well-confirmed in its efficaciousness by subsequent studies in human cognitive development. This is a superbly written book, and Lillard is very good at presenting often highly intricate research in an accessble meanner. Although she is obviously a supporter (and product) of Montessori education, she does not wear her bias on her sleeve. She does not leave out research that either does not support or cannot yet be shown to support the Montessori method. If you already send your child to a Montessori school, you will find your good decision supported by her research; if you are thinking about Montessori, you will be convinced after reading this book that your choice is easy.

This is a very well written book, with a wealth of information culled from studies on children's development and the optimal conditions for growth and learning. The prose is clear and easy to digest. I recommend Lillard's book for anyone - parents, teachers, and policy makers - interested in children regardless of interest in Montessori.

I was familiar with the basics of Montessori education before I read "Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius". I have been drawn to it ever since I first heard about it because it feels more natural and right than traditional public school. I read this book in an effort to understand the system better and to be able to defend my choice to well-meaning but critical friends and family. I was not disappointed.

Lillard first compares traditional education with the Montessori system, pointing out how each came to be and how they have evolved over time. She then looks at what she considers to be the eight principles of Montessori education. Each is explained in depth, compared in depth with traditional education, and then research is provided in support of each principle. In her research, Lillard discovered that none of Montessori's central points have been disproven, many have been proven, and several are in need of further research.

Pros: This book cites many, many scientific studies. It is well-written and easy to understand. There are many examples (and pictures) of specific materials used in Montessori education. It provides a solid explanation of many of the important principles of Montessori education.

Cons: The book is a little wordy and uses too many previews, summaries, and reviews for my taste. The last chapter contains a section called "Frequently Asked Questions and Concerns about Montessori" that I wish was longer and more in depth.

What I would really like to find is a debate between pro- and anti- Montessori educators. While I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot from it, I came away thinking that Lillard's assessment was too good to be true. If Montessori education is really as wonderful as she (and I) think it is, why is it not more popular?

As a psychologist and parent of two young children, Dr. Lillard's book helped me to understand more about increasing my children's cognitive abilities, emotional intelligence, and independence. The book is rich with current social and developmental research. It also provides a thoughtful overview of leading perspectives on childrearing and education ranging from the works of Baumrind to Dewey. At its heart, the book describes how a woman who was born in the 1800's changed the landscape of education through a lifelong dedication to her observation and work with children. This is not only a book about Dr. Montessori and the approach she created, but about the child's innate curiosity, concentration, and passion for learning. Thank you, Dr. Lillard. This is a brillant piece of work.

I believe your book is an indispensable resource for Montessori teachers and for any non-Montessori teachers and/or administrators who want to know how and why Montessori works so well with children. For Montessori teachers, it provides the validation of principles that are sometimes abandoned in Montessori classrooms to appease parents, administrators, or the teacher's own insecurities. For non-Montessori educators, it offers a rationale for what we do in terms that they can understand and a wealth of non-Montessori research to back up our classroom practice. It's quite a convincing book for both audiences!
-Michael Duffy, co-author of "Children ol the Universe: Cosmic Education in the Montessori Classroom" (Parent Child Press)

As a former Montessori student, I've been amazed at how other children develop learning methods in classroom experiences across the U.S. With our educational system in flux, how about looking to Maria Montessori and her teaching philosophies that she developed a century ago.

I may hold a biased view for Montessori learning. However, Montessori believed that the 'factory method' of schooling was outdated. Believing that children have blank slates for learning, she created learning techniques and environments that develop concentration, independent thought, motivation, curiosity, and self-discipline for life's choices. After reading this book, I'm in full agreement with her teaching methods.

Lilliard explains the history and theories behind Montessori education in-depth and with strength. She explains the importance of our relationships and environments within the classroom and our homes, and she explores the knee-jerk arguments against Montessori education. If you're working or raising children, you'll be way ahead of the game with this thorough and insightful book.

I wanted to explore the foundations of how I learn in life, and Lillard answers my questions. I'm not only more knowledgable about how I learn, but also I'm more aware how intelligence is developed and the possibilites of how our youth can learn in today's world.

Add to your building blocks of knowledge, and explore Montessori methods...This is a supreme read.

Montessori school? Nearly 40 years ago my wife began working in a Montessori school as a classroom assistant. I was busy in Hollywood working as an assistant editor for Roger Corman. Montessori school? It wasn't long before my wife had me sitting in her classroom 'observing' the children. Montessori school? How does one make a career change so quickly? Maybe it's when your wife says, "I'm going to Italy to get my Montessori teacher training!" We both graduated from the International Center for Montessori Studies in Bergamo, Italy in 1972 and we've both been teaching in Montessori schools ever since. Witnessing and working with the impact of Montessori's genius for more than 35 years has provided our own hands-on validation of what Montessori's approach can provide learners of all ages. Lillard's book provides the documented empirical evidence of Montessori's value that up until now has been missing. We Montessori teachers know the value of a genuine Montessori experience, now there's evidence, too. Although this book's audience might be the academic world, parents too can gather plenty of reasons as to why their children should be enrolled in an authentic Montessori program.