The Montessori method of raising children is fantastic. Not only does it teach your child how to become more independent, but it focuses on teaching through play and education.
If you are interested in learning more about this method, you may be wondering where to begin. Books are a fantastic place to start and often contain all of the building blocks you need to educate yourself and your child.
There are some fantastic Montessori books available to purchase and we have chosen 5 to share with you. We have reviewed them extensively to provide you with an overview of the books and their helpfulness.
In addition to this, we have written a buyer’s guide. This guide provides you with more information about the Montessori method and the things you should look out for when purchasing a Montessori book.
In A Hurry? Here is our top choice of Montessori book: The Montessori Toddler: A Parent's Guide to Raising a Curious and Responsible Human Being
The Montessori Toddler is our top choice because it discusses the method of Montessori easily and clearly. The author is trained in Montessori and is very knowledgeable.
The book is available to purchase in four different formats, making it accessible for everyone. While it is not the cheapest book available, it provides you with all the information you need to teach your child the Montessori way.
It is 256 pages in length and has clear and distinct chapters. The book discusses both the history of the Montessori method and how to apply it to raise your child.
It is a best selling book and it is easy to see why given how engaging it is.
OUR TOP PICK
The Montessori Toddler is a popular book. It is available in four formats - paperback, ebook, audiobook, and audio CD. This gives you plenty of options when choosing how to read the book.
It is 256 pages in length.
In terms of the price, the paperback is a little more expensive than a standard book.
However, the knowledge you will gain far outweighs the cost. The audiobook is the most expensive option and the ebook is the cheapest.
This is a best selling book and focuses on how you can have a Montessori home. It covers the basics of how to understand your child and change your own mindset.
The book dives into the Montessori way of parenting, the history behind the method, and how to apply it to your child’s life.
The chapters are separated into useful sections, such as putting Montessori into practice and working together with your child. The text is engaging.
The author is trained in Montessori teaching and is well-educated. The writing is informational and easy to follow and understand.
Pros:
- Written by an author educated in Montessori
- Comes in four book formats
- Engaging and easy to read
Cons:
- The paperback format is relatively expensive
EDITORS CHOICE
Montessori From The Start is a highly rated book that is available in four different formats - paperback, ebook, audiobook, and audio CD.
It is a reasonably priced book and one of the cheaper options we have included.
The paperback is the cheapest format and the ebook is reasonably priced. The audio CD is very expensive, however, the audiobook is a cheaper alternative.
The book is 304 pages, which is a good length when looking at the less expensive price tag. It has two authors, both of whom are educated in Montessori.
Paula Polk Lillard is the founder and director of a Montessori school. Given this, you know the information provided in the book is valuable and accurate.
The book covers childhood from birth and integrates Montessori teaching. There are illustrations and timelines included in the book.
It provides you with the history of Montessori and how you can practice it at home. It is easy to follow and understand.
Pros:
- Written by an author who is a co-founder and director of a Montessori school
- Available in four formats
- Paperback is very reasonably priced
Cons:
- Audio CD is very expensive
BEST VALUE
The Absorbent Mind is an engaging and interesting book. It is available in five formats - paperback, mass market paperback, hardback, ebook, and audiobook.
The ebook is brilliant value for the money. It is inexpensive and if you are unsure about whether or not you want to try this way of parenting, it is a fantastic place to start being so reasonably priced.
The other formats are more expensive, in particular the mass market paperback and the hardback. The book is 320 pages.
The author is the founder of the Montessori movement, Maria Montessori. Given this, it will provide you with invaluable information and is a great option to choose.
Montessori provides a detailed and in-depth approach to her teaching and teaches the basics of the method she created. The book is based on the lectures that Montessori gave.
The book does take a more formal approach and may not be as easy to read in comparison to the other books we have included. If you enjoy educational books, this should not be an issue.
Pros:
- Written by the founder of the Montessori method
- Ebook is inexpensive
- Good book length
Cons:
- The formal writing style may not be as easy to read
RUNNER UP
The Montessori Method was written by the founder, Maria Montessori. It is available in five formats. The formats are - paperback, hardback, ebook, audiobook, and MP3 CD.
It is 258 pages and the kindle edition is one of the most affordable options we have featured. It is a great place to start if you want to look into The Montessori Method without committing to it.
The paperback is also fairly inexpensive. The hardcover, MP3, and audiobook options are significantly more expensive in comparison, however.
The book is quite information-heavy but provides you with a greater understanding of this method. As it is written by the founder of this method, the information is accurate and useful.
At the time of publication, this book was very anticipated. It is a popular and well-loved book.
Pros:
- Written by the founder of the Montessori method
- Available in 5 formats
- Ebook is inexpensive
Cons:
- Information heavy and may not be as engaging for every reader
RUNNER UP
This is another book written by the founder of Montessori. The book is a compilation of the lectures she gave in London in 1946.
It is available in one format, which is an ebook. This does limit you if you prefer other methods of reading.
For an ebook, The 1946 London Lectures is quite expensive. However, it provides all of the information you need about the Montessori method.
It is 242 pages in length and is split into the different lectures Montessori gave. This is more of an educational book.
As it is transcribed from the lecture, it may not be as easy to follow if you are new to this method.
The book discusses how the method works from a newborn baby through to childhood. It is detailed and engaging. These are the teachings that every other Montessori book gains knowledge from.
Pros:
- The original lectures given by the founder of the Montessori method
- Detailed and engaging
- Covers Montessori from birth through to childhood
Cons:
- Only available in ebook format
Best Montessori Books Buying Guide
Here is everything that you should take into consideration before purchasing a book about the Montessori style of parenting.
Cost
Firstly, the cost of a book is important. Although a book is a small investment, the price of a book can vary drastically.
Before purchasing it is worth taking into consideration how much you want to spend on the book and the format of the book you want to purchase.
The format of the book you choose can vary in price. For example, ebooks tend to be cheaper than hardback books.
Book Format
This may not be something that you have taken into consideration previously, but the format of the book you purchase is important.
Books are available in many different forms. For example, you can purchase paperbacks, hardbacks, eBooks, and audiobooks.
When you are choosing a book to purchase you should consider the method in which you want to read the book. If for example, you are short on time to sit down and read, an audiobook could be a great option.
When you have a child, audiobooks can be great. They can be listened to while carrying out other tasks. Rather than having to devote time to sitting down to read them, they can be listened to in the background.
If you have a kindle, tablet, or iPad, an ebook can be a great option. Ebooks are typically cheaper to purchase in comparison to other types of books.
They can be easily accessible too. If the lights are off while your child is sleeping or nursing, you can still read your book as these devices have a backlight.
In addition to this, ebooks can be read on multiple devices so you can switch between reading on a phone or a tablet with ease.
Hardbacks and paperback books are similar in how they are read, but paperbacks do tend to be the cheaper option. However, hardbacks are more durable, especially if you have children.
There are many different benefits to the different types of methods of reading. While it may seem insignificant when choosing a book, these aspects are important.
The majority of books are available in multiple formats at different prices, so this is worth considering before purchasing a Montessori book.
Author
It is worth looking into the author of a book before purchasing. While debut authors can provide fantastic advice, it is worth making note of the experience the author has in the Montessori method.
When you are looking for advice on a style of parenting, it is important that the author is knowledgeable and experienced in the field.
Given this, we would recommend carrying out basic research on the author and their values before purchasing their book.
Book Length
Another thing to consider before purchasing is the length of the book. Everyone will prefer different lengths of books and you should choose the length of the book that suits you the most.
In addition to this, you should question whether or not the price of the book is justified when looking at the length of the book.
For example, are you going to get more out of a larger book in comparison to a smaller book? While this is not always the case, it is worth considering.
What Is Montessori Style Parenting?
Before you consider purchasing a book about the Montessori method, it is important to figure out whether or not this is the best style of parenting for you.
To help you decide this, we will explain this method in more detail.
The Montessori method of parenting is the perfect option if you want to take a more relaxed way of parenting.
Montessori emphasizes the importance of allowing your child to play as they want to with no negative interruptions. Rather than punishing a child for their misbehavior, Montessori focuses on a different approach.
The method is deeply rooted in allowing your child to make their own choices. It is toddler and child-led in many ways.
It is intended to teach your child to have a responsibility and emphasizes the importance of spending quality time with your children.
It emphasizes the importance of learning through play, but this is not the main focus. There are many aspects to a Montessori approach to parenting that all of these books will focus on in more detail.
Before you purchase these books, you should be open to the concepts that they will be explaining. When looking for the best book, it should explain the Montessori parenting techniques in a way that is understandable to you.
The way you connect with a book is personal. One book that someone finds engaging, may not be as helpful to someone else. This is worth taking into consideration before purchasing.
We would recommend studying the blurb and reading some samples of the book before purchasing if you are unsure. The book that you connect with the most should be the one that you choose.
The Five Principles of the Montessori Method
These books will delve into the Montessori method in much more detail than we will in this article.
However, you should be aware of the five basic principles of the Montessori method before purchasing.
While we will not be delving into these principles in extensive detail, here is an overview of what this method teaches:
1. Respect
Respect plays a big role in this method of parenting.
The Montessori method emphasizes the importance of showing your child respect and them feeling respected as an individual. Respect is the most important aspect of this method.
2. Absorbent Minds
Montessori emphasizes how absorbent children’s minds are. It emphasizes how children will pick up and learn things quickly, whether that is through their play, actions, or the environment around them.
The method emphasizes how children do want to learn from those around them and their surroundings.
3. Sensitivity
Sensitivity is another key aspect of the Montessori method.
It emphasizes that children learn best when they are sensitive to their emotions and their surroundings. When children have sensitive periods they can learn at their best.
4. Prepared Environments
Following on from sensitivity, this method focuses on the importance of a prepared environment. It emphasizes that a prepared environment allows a child to learn the best.
It focuses on independence and providing your child with the building blocks they need for their learning.
5. Independence
Finally, the Montessori method focuses on the independence of a child and how they can teach themselves many skills.
While teaching a child is important, Montessori focuses on allowing your child to problem-solve and explore ideas individually.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have answered some frequently asked questions that you may have.
What Age Is Best To Start Montessori?
There is no exact age when you should start Montessori and the answer can change based on the individual.
However, this method emphasizes that children have an absorbent mind up to the age of six.
Many people choose to start Montessori learning with their child when they are a toddler, so from around the age of 2-3 up to the age of six. However, others practice this method from birth.
Is Montessori Right For Every Child?
This is something that is down to personal opinion. While Montessori schools and the method may not be the best environment for every child, they can be great too.
Only you can decide whether or not Montessori is correct for you and your family. It is a method that is practiced at home and at Montessori schools.