Montessori Bookshelf

The Montessori Series
Books by Maria Montessori from Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company, Oxford, England

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Understanding the Human Being: The Importance of the First Three Years of Life
by Silvana Q. Montanaro, MD

From her unique vantage point as a medical doctor and Montessorian, Dr. Montanaro addresses prenatal life, symbiosis, breastfeeding and weaning, brain development and the absorbent mind, independence, language development, and the developmental crises of the first three years. Published by Nienhuis Montessori USA. 166 pages, paperback. (1991)

Silvana Quattrocchi Montanaro is a medical doctor specializing in psychiatry. In 1955, she joined the staff of the Rome Montessori School for Assistants to Infancy, where she has taught mental hygiene, child neuropsychiatry, nutrition, and obstetrics. She is an AMI Trainer at the 0-3 level and professor of neonatal psychopedagogy at the School for Psychosomatic and Psychoprophylaxis of Obstetrics, Neonatalogy and Gynecology, "Christo Re" Hospital, Rome.

The Child Is Father of the Man
by Silvana Q. Montanaro, MD

Large full-color photos emphasize the importance of the first three years. A book for parents, with short text and quotes from Maria Montessori, in English and Italian. Published in Rome by Edizioni Opera Nazionale Montessori. 110 pages, paperback. (1997)

Montessori Today
by Paula Polk Lillard

Written for parents, teachers, and administrators, this book presents Maria Montessori's theories on learning at each developmental stage. A brief overview of the 3-6 years is followed by an in-depth description of the characteristics of the 6-12 child as well as the Montessori approach for the elementary years. Finally, Lillard presents the planes of adulthood, ages 12-18 and 18-24, describing Montessori theory along with examples from existing Montessori middle schools. Over the last decade, Montessori elementary and middle schools have sprung up all over the United States. Montessori Today is a response to the lay person's need for clear, accurate information on these programs and the theory that underlies them. In addition, Lillard presents Montessori as a compelling alternative to the mainstream educational system and the malaise students often experience in today's crisis-ridden schools.

Paula Polk Lillard is co-founder and director of the Forest Bluff School in Lake Bluff, Illinois. She lives in Chicago. Random House. 207 pages, bibliography, index. (1996)

Maria Montessori: Her Life and Work
by E. M. Standing

Part biography and part exposition of her ideas, this engaging book by E.M. Standing, Maria Montessori's close collaborator, reveals the inspirations behind the greatest educational innovator of our time. Plume.

A Path for the Exploration of Any Language Leading to Writing and Reading
As part of the Total Montessori Approach to the development of language
by Muriel Dwyer

This update of Ms. Dwyer's classic "A Key to Writing and Reading for English" emphasizes exploration as the basis of literacy, while providing the specific keys of a reading scheme as an aid to the child's natural progression. A gem for any Montessori library, and a succinct aid for both teacher and parent. A Special Issue of The NAMTA Journal (Summer, 2004).

Montessori from the Start
by Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen

Parents are amazed by the advantages of a Montessori education for their children, and scientific evidence continues to support Maria Montessori's discoveries. But what if you want the benefits of Dr. Montessori's insights from birth? Is there Montessori for babies? How does Montessori's advocacy of hands-on learning and self-discovery relate to infants? What can parents do to help their youngest children in their task of self-formation? This authoritative and accessible book answers these and many other questions. Brimming with anecdotes and encouragement, and written in a clear, engaging style, Montessori from the Start is a practical and useful guide to raising calm, capable, and confident children. Schocken Books, paperback, 244 pages plus bibliography and index. (2003)

The Third Adolescent Colloquium
Special Issue of The NAMTA Journal
Download the Preface to read now! (pdf file; requires free Adobe Reader software)

This special edition of The NAMTA Journal (Winter, 2006) presents selected proceedings and supplemental papers from the Third International Adolescent Colloquium, a gathering of AMI trainers and practitioners in October, 2005. Contents focus on the vision of the whole Adolescent plane, ages 12 to 18. Topics include Erdkinder, specialists, subject area studies, nature experience, valorization, pedagogy of place, the Montessori high school, and outcomes. (434 pages)

Proceedings of the first Adolescent Colloquium (1996) are still available as well. (67 pages)

The Montessori Adolescent: Analysis in Retrospect
Special Issue of The NAMTA Journal

This 600-page special issue of The NAMTA Journal (Summer, 2001) traces the history of Montessori adolescent education in America from its beginning to the present. This resource book shows a precise evolutionary trend from urban to rural development of the Erdkinder concept, while inluding major innovations in America's eventful Montessori experiment as the adolescent developmental plane assumes its own identity. Twenty-five years of curriculum development and related literature is placed at the reader's fingertips.

Centenary Package

Order three Montessori Centenary-related items at one low price! The new DVD Images: A Montessori Journey commemorates the Montessori Centenary with a portrayal in pictures of Montessori past and present. Our signed photograph of Maria Montessori has been a treasured part of our collection for many years. And the new 11" x 24" Children's Mural Poster celebrates not only the Montessori Centenary but the very history of earth and humanity. Save by buying all three as a package!

The NAMTA Directory

Put the entire Montessori community at your fingertips. Published annually, spiral bound. Click here for details.

NAMTA Member Publications

Join NAMTA and get a year's subscription to The NAMTA Journal and The NAMTA Bulletin (incorporating The NAMTA Job Bulletin).

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