Parent Education Tools

What Is the Montessori Toddler Community?
by Sarah Moudry, AMI Assistant to Infancy

This book describes the importance of community for children before the age of three. In this full-color book, Montessori Assistants to Infancy describe the important aspects of the day in the Toddler Community and the moments that can mean so much in a child’s life. Touching the lives of children from diverse backgrounds, the Montessori guides offer rich language experiences, meaningful social interactions, and well prepared environments to inspire spontaneous moments of personal growth. The book also includes a parents’ guide to choosing the right community for their family. Through this book we meet many children enjoying the benefits of a strong Montessori community.

An accompanying DVD is also available, featuring the same families in the book. Click here for description. Special package price if you buy both together!

In a Montessori Home: A Parent's Guide to Preparing the Home for Children Birth to Three
by Sarah Moudry, AMI Assistant to Infancy

This full-color, 36-page booklet covers the preparation of the home for infants and toddlers from birth to three years and describes the four main areas to be prepared in a home: sleeping, dressing, eating, and playing. Through upbeat text and clear, colorful photos, the book conveys the principles of order, consistency, independence, and safety, while emphasizing the parent-child bond during this unique period of development. A Parent Resource Guide at the end gives guidance for choosing and finding toys, clothing, and furniture consistent with Montessori principles yet easily accessible and often inexpensive.

An accompanying DVD is also available, featuring the same families in the book. Click here for description. Special package price if you buy both together!

NAMTA’s Parent Education Tool Kit for the Child 0-3 Years

A set containing one copy of each of the following publications:

• In a Montessori Home book and DVD
• What Is the Montessori Toddler Community? book and DVD
• Montessori from the Start (click here for description)
• Understanding the Human Being: The Importance of the First Three Years of Life (click here for description)
• The Child Is Father of the Man (click here for description)

The Normalized Child
by Kathleen H. Futrell

NAMTA has developed an updated version of Kathleen Futrell's classic, The Normalized Child. The booklet, available from the Aquinas Montessori School (Alexandria, Virginia) since 1970, has successfully presented the concept of normalization to generations of Montessori parents. NAMTA is now reissuing this time-tested text in an updated format. Practical examples and straightforward language convey Montessori's comprehensive view of child-rearing and education in one sitting—a great discussion starter for both staff development and parent education. Attractive graphics and full-color photos enhance an upbeat text that bridges the gap between home and school. 8-1/2 x 11, 29 pages. See also the accompanying DVD/video.

At Home with Montessori (ages 3-6)
by Patricia Oriti
edited by David Kahn
illustrations by Julia Sheehan-Burke

This full-color, 27-page booklet encourages rethinking the home from the perspective of how adults and children, especially preschool children, can live together harmoniously while maintaining different goals for development. Full of practical ideas, it nevertheless emphasizes each family's uniqueness and individual style. The attractive illustrations provide concrete suggestions as well as a springboard for the discussions and explorations prompted by the included study guide. See also the accompanying DVD/video.

What Is Montessori Preschool?

Beginning with a short biographical sketch of Maria Montessori, this booklet provides the root ideas of absorbent mind and sensitive periods with explanations designed for the lay person. Candid photos of the classroom at large as well as individual activities bring to life the child-centered feel of the classroom.

The prepared environment and the quality of the materials are emphasized first in principle and then through each of the specific areas of the classroom: practical life, sensorial, mathematics, and language. The roles of the parent and Montessori teacher are defined in parallel fashion. Finally, the book extends an invitation to children of all backgrounds to experience Montessori education. See also the accompanying DVD/video.

Also available in Spanish: click here.

What Is Montessori Elementary?

Beginning with the "continuing journey" of Montessori education and the successive planes of education, this booklet launches into a glimpse of the six-year-old as philosopher. Full-color photos, dynamic graphics, and a thorough but readable text present the elementary-aged child in a state of wonder and the teacher as storyteller. A cosmic education chart communicates the Montessori "big picture" overview of all knowledge.

The booklet shows the interrelatedness of all the materials and activities within the elementary prepared environment. It also points out the need for exploration beyond the classroom: "going out." The social nature of the child is emphasized through sections on social development and on the Montessori elementary teacher as a specialist in the child. Finally, the book discusses parent involvement and the school as a community, along with the question all parents ask: What happens after Montessori elementary? See also the accompanying DVD/video.

Also available in Spanish: click here

Montessori Talks to Parents Magazines

These two series of magazine-style booklets are expressly designed to help parents understand Montessori perspectives. The booklets explain what parents can do and why, and present some basic Montessori philosophy of education.

These publications can serve as communication tools to help develop a sense of community among parents. They are especially useful in study groups in which parents can discuss and question what children are doing in school, then aim toward a home environment that is consistent with the Montessori methods.

• Series One: The Home Environment, Discipline, The Spiritual Side of Love
• Series Two: Language and Literature, The Child in Nature, Nurturing the Creative Personality

Each booklet is 8 1/2" by 11", 16-19 pages, with full-color cover. Leaders' guides are included. (Sold as series only; no individual copies available.)

Montessori Read and Write: A Parents' Guide to Literacy for Children
by Lynne Lawrence

Written by Lynne Lawrence, Director of Training at the Maria Montessori Training Organisation, London, England, this book is filled with ideas and age-specific games for parents and children to practice at home. 160 pages, paperback. Ebury Press.

NAMTA's Parent Education Tool Kit for Ages 3 and Up

A set containing one copy of each of the following publications:

• The Normalized Child
• Montessori Talks to Parents Series One and Two
• At Home with Montessori book and DVD
• What Is Montessori Preschool?
• What Is Montessori Elementary?
• Montessori Today (click here for description), and
• Montessori Read and Write

Kindred Cooking Collection: Our Toddler Community Family Favorites from Austin Montessori School 2005
by Gwen Logan (Assistant to Infancy), graphic design by Bella Guzman

The Kindred Cooking Collection gives guidance to parents searching for ways to include toddlers and young children in the preparation and serving of food. Clear photographs assist parents in setting up simple food preparation work for their child in the home. Anecdotes accompanying each recipe highlight the importance of family rituals and traditions. Provides inspiration for schools seeking to support the parent/child bond and the school/parent relationship. 8”x 9”, spiral bound.

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