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The Absorbent Mind [Paperback]

Maria Montessori (Author), John Chattin-McNichols Ph.D. (Foreword)
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
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The Absorbent Mind + Secret of Childhood + Discovery of the Child
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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
-- Review

Product Description

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.
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Holt Paperbacks (October 15, 1995)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0805041567
  • ISBN-13: 978-0805041569
  • Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #123,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Maria Montessori
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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This book is one of the links in the unfolding chain of our thought, and of the movement to which we belong, for the defense of those great inner powers which children possess. Read the first page
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New York, Sir Percy Nunn, Arnold Gesell, Maria Montessori
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Customer Reviews

16 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
3.9 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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77 of 78 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars this book will change the way you see children, February 12, 2003
This review is from: The Absorbent Mind (Paperback)
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.

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76 of 84 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 (Farmington, Michigan) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Absorbent Mind (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.
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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars a guide for my life, February 5, 2001
By Anne L. Lange (Norfolk,, Ne United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Absorbent Mind (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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Great book, buy it from a different publisher!
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... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jodi

1.0 out of 5 stars Unreadable edition of a classic text
I returned this version (the print-on-demand version) because the translation was utterly unreadable and the design was atrocious. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Ashley Shelby

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read for Every Parent
This book is a must read for every parent, especially parents of newborns. The world would be a better place if every parent raised their children according to the Montessori... Read more
Published 11 months ago by K. Workman

3.0 out of 5 stars Economy Class Edition
Comparing it to the 1995 First Owl Books Edition (Henry Holt), this 2009 BN Publishing edition presents itself rather poor and stripped down. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Wolfgang Aurbach

5.0 out of 5 stars The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori
This is an excellent book, I would recommend every parent, teacher or guardian to purchase a copy.... it's a real eye opener!
Published 22 months ago by Neelkamal Plahe

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Info
As a new mom, I learned a lot information from this book. Not sure if all of the opions are right, but still it is good to know them.
Published on June 27, 2007 by J. Lang

5.0 out of 5 stars Montessori is a way of life, much more than just the materials
The Absorbent Mind isn't easy reading, the translation from Italian to English compromises the flow, however, the content is as precious as diamonds. Read more
Published on November 13, 2005 by Amanda S

5.0 out of 5 stars The Fundamentals of Child education
This book spells out Maria Montessori's most salient observations about child development. An absolute 'must read'. Read more
Published on December 18, 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars putting the record straight
This book is wonderful for the people who are going into the field of montessori education, actually it is on the required list of any teacher training program, and in there lays... Read more
Published on December 4, 2000

2.0 out of 5 stars Method fantastic, book not so great
I just bought a Montessori prescchool & kindergarten and changed the name. I use 'Montessori tools,' yet I feel there are more 'updated' tools to use as well. Read more
Published on June 1, 2000 by kimskiutah

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