There’s plenty of books out there on the Montessori method and philosophy, but where do you start? Here’s a short guide to help you find the right book:
Montessori’s Own Writings
There is so much of Montessori’s own writings, it’s hard to know where to start. Her language can be a bit archaic and, on a rare occasion, her ways are out of date (particularly when she talks about the diet of a young child), but I believe reading Montessori’s own writings is essential in your Montessori education.
I’d suggest starting with The Montessori Method. You’ll get the history of the method, background on the first children’s school, how Maria developed her method, her philsophy of the child, and the different areas of the Montessori classroom.
Take it slow. It’s filled with rich goodness.
Books by Maria Montessori:
The Montessori Method
Dr. Montessori’s Own Handbook: A Short Guide to Her Ideas & Materials
The Discovery of the Child
The Secret of Childhood
The Absorbent Mind
The Clio Montessori Series:
To Educate the Human Potential
Education & Peace
The Formation of Man
Education for a New World
The Child in the Family
What You Should Know About Your Child
Child, Society, & the World: Unpublished Speeches & Writings
From Childhood to Adolescence: Including Erdkinder & the Function of the University
New to Montessori?
Did you do a Google search on Montessori and were overwhelmed by the amount of information out there? Take a deep breath. Welcome…it’s a wonderful world.
How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way, Tim Seldin
Seldin’s book is quickly becoming a classic introduction to Montessori for parents. It’s filled with awesome photos and is a useful, but simple guide to incorporating Montessori at home.
The Essential Montessori: An Introduction to the Woman, the Writings, the Method, & the Movement, Elizabeth Hainstock
Hainstock provides a wonderfully condensed introduction to the Montessori world, pulling much from Montessori’s own writings. It’s a great jumping board before starting Montessori’s books.
Montessori: A Modern Approach, Paula Polk Lillard
Perhaps you’re familiar with Montessori, but would like a more comprehensive and digestibile book on the Method? Lillard’s book is an overview of pretty much all of Montessori’s work with the author’s own insights and experiences.
Montessori Today: A Comprehensive Approach to Education from Birth to Adulthood, Paula Polk Lillard
Is Montessori still relevant? What about past the preschool/primary years? What does Montessori look like applied across different ages and classrooms? If you’re asking those questions then, Montessori Today is the book for you. (Psst…It’s also our first book for the OMH Book Club this year. Come join us!)
Montessori for Infants & Toddlers?
How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way, Tim Seldin
Montessori from the Start: The Child at Home, From Birth to Age Three – Paula Polk Lillard
The Joyful Child: Montessori, Global Wisdom for Birth to Three, Susan Mayclin Stephenson
Are you a parent of a Montessori student?
Montessori: Why It Matters for Your Child’s Success & Happiness, Charlotte Cushman
Montessori Madness! A Parent to Parent Argument for Montessori Education, Trevor Eissler
Montessori at Home or School: How to Teach Grace & Courtesy, Deb Chitwood
Teaching Montessori at Home?
Teaching Montessori in the Home: The Pre-School Years, Elizabeth Hainstock
Teaching Montessori in the Home: The School Years, Elizabeth Hainstock
Teach Me to Do it Myself, Pat Thomas
Basic Montessori: Learning Activities for Under Fives, David Gettman
Looking to Go Deeper?
Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius, Angeline Stoll Lillard
The Secret of Childhood, Maria Montessori
Discovery of the Child, Maria Montessori
Spontaneous Activity in Education, Maria Montessori
The Absorbent Mind, Maria Montessori
Montessori in the Classroom: A Teacher’s Account of How Children Really Learn, Paula Polk Lillard
More About Maria Montessori?
Maria Montessori: Her Life & Work, E.M. Standing
