The Absorbent Mind [Paperback]

Maria Montessori (Author), John Chattin-McNichols (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1995

In response to the crisis in American education, more than five thousand public and private schools across the nation have adopted the timeless Montessori Method of teaching, of which this book is the cornerstone. Written by the women whose name is synonymous worldwide with child development theory, The Absorbent Mind takes its title from the phrase that the inspired Italian doctor coined to characterize the child's most crucial developmental stage: the first six years.

A new foreword by John Chattin-McNichols, Ph.D., President of the American Montessori Society, places this classic book in a contemporary context, offering an intelligent discussion of current thinking in child education.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This book deserves careful reading, for the author’s views are as relevant (and revolutionary) now as when they were first proposed.”—New York Times Book Review

“Startling insights...she is an inspiring teacher . . . educators of all persuasions will find her book alive with ideas.”—Library Journal

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Italian

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks; Reprint edition (October 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805041567
• ISBN-13: 978-0805041569
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.9 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,196 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > Education & Reference > Schools & Teaching > Early Childhood Education
  • #46 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Child Psychology

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

93 of 96 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars this book will change the way you see children February 12, 2003

By CrochetingGardener

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is Montessori's last book, and the most in-depth discussion of her theory based on decades of scientific observation of children. It discusses the special mind of the child, and how nurturing the special potentialities that only children have is the only way to change (and save) humanity. Montessori's theories are particularly interesting today in light of recent neurological discoveries, especially those related to critical periods and language.

This is a very dense book, and requires a good deal of concentration and time to read. I would recommmend The Child in the Family as the first book for one wanting an overview of Montessori ideas.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a guide for my life February 5, 2001

By Anne L. Lange

Format:Library Binding

I first read The Absorbant Mind" in 1969, It changed the way I raised my children, how I valued their "work" of being children, and how I now work with the mentally ill. I find myself often reviewing the concept that all people really do the best they can, and that using her respect of others, and her method,of going from concrete to abstract concepts is a useful baseline. Dr. Montessori never wasted words in this book, I had to concentrate on each sentance, or I'd miss something. I thank my sister, a Montessori teacher, for introducing it to me, she is Joanna Taylor, who taught for 3o years in SLC.

85 of 98 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A Scientific Synopsis of Her Research September 14, 1999

By Michelle E. Riehl

Format:Paperback

The first half of this book is not for the general lay-person, or someone looking for a quick overview of the Montessori Method. Granted, the text was translated from Italian into English, and may have something to do with readability, but I found it dry and pedantic, and almost gave up reading. The second half of the book is a little easier to read and filled my need (a general idea of what Montessori was all about, and help deciding if this was something I wanted to pursue for my child). While this book is not very specific in how she applied her method, the second half did give me an idea about what she believed in and advocated. Some of her statements seem outdated, and when you realize that her research was conducted in the early 1900's, and she's writing about schools during the period between our two World Wars, it's easier to take some of her statements in context. It also makes me wonder whether subsequent research may have rendered some of her findings obsolete.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Important Information regarding the Chalkboard Edition September 25, 2010

By avidreader

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been working in and studying Montessori for nearly twenty years. I recently purchased a new copy of The Absorbent Mind, this one with the chalkboard on front. This book is incomplete (from missing pages to an entire chapter), does not use Dr. Montessori's words and on many occasions distorts the actual meaning of the concepts discussed. I would strongly recommend investing in a different version.
The book Dr. Montessori wrote is a very different experience than this one represents. If you are interested in the book seek out a different edition consider one with a forward by John Chattin - McNicholes. The Absorbent Mind [ABSORBENT MIND] [Paperback]

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Unreadable edition of a classic text January 30, 2010

By Ashley

Format:Paperback

I returned this version (the print-on-demand version) because the translation was utterly unreadable and the design was atrocious. It read as if these "publishers" simply applied Google translate to Montessori's classic text, which is in public domain at this time, and fed it into a print on demand computer. Truly disappointing. Buy the real version. I wish Amazon would stop selling this version.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Economy Class Edition August 26, 2009

By Wolfgang Aurbach

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Comparing it to the 1995 First Owl Books Edition (Henry Holt), this 2009 BN Publishing edition presents itself rather poor and stripped down. The Edition Notice is minimal, doesn't even show the ISBN number or year of print. There is no foreword, no identification of the translator, let alone a Translator's Note. The body matter itself is abbreviated. I was so disappointed that I disconsidered this new purchase and ordered another copy of the 1995 edition from a used book seller.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars FALSE ADVERTISEMENT March 29, 2011

By Trying To Learn in AZ

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is NOT THE ABSORBENT MIND but a boot leg copy full of typos, missing illustrations, and even 40+ pages missing from the actual copy. I am attaining a Montessori certification and was often confused reading this book wondering what other class mates were talking about in a discussion until I realized that this was not the actual book. It is Dr Montessori's words but incomplete. There is not even a copywright date anywhere in the book. The chapters have different page numbers, chapter names, missing illustrations, and figures from the actual translations of Dr Montessori. The typos in the book are weird such as an occasional $ placed in a word. DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!

In the description of this book they even state the the book you are able to search in is not the actual book you receive, and they state that the book showed is by another publishing company but what you buy is their book.......TOTALLY FALSE ADVERTISEMENT....... this kind of thing really makes me mad...... I have never given anyone a bad review but this is a SHAME to the Dr Maria Montessori name.
This is a correct version
The Absorbent Mind [ABSORBENT MIND] [Paperback]

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Great book, buy it from a different publisher! July 17, 2010

By Jodi

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book, and started the training to become a Montessori Certified educator, and realized this book from this particular publisher was missing many of the VITAL charts and illustrations that Maria Montessori originally included! I was VERY disappointed that they would leave something like this out of the book.
Lesson learned, I will not buy books from BN publishing ever again!
It is a wonderful book, and very educational, but look for a different publisher so that you can get the COMPLETE version.