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rdcollins15's review against another edition
3.5
Some good ideas and I like the general principles. Like Montessori activities, room set up
theinfamousj's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
4.0
The contents of this book are great. The attribution, not so much.
Allow me, if you will, to go on a little rant. I studied early childhood development and early childhood education in graduate school. There was a time (cough Skinner cough) when young children from birth until about the age of reason (give or take 8 years old) were thought of as little morons who would sit like a potted plant if adults didn't tell them what to do, think, and how to perceive the world; this was called the "empty vessel theory" as in children are just warm blooded jars that we adults need to fill.
As happens in all fields, this prevailing view carried the day and was the trend, until a reactionary school of thought emerged: maybe nature doesn't make mistakes and children actually are whole people with personalities and interests and whatnot. Does this sound like what you know of Montessori? Great! Because Maria Montessori was one of many researchers and thinkers working on this countervailing understanding of early childhood, but by far not the only one. Montessori worked with preschool aged children.
You know who worked with infants? Who said to create a safe space with ability appropriate manipulatives and no dangers? Who called it a "yes space"? Who said to sit back and watch the infant and trust that they will be drawn to and play with the toys that best support them in the way they are best supported? If you read this book, you might think, "Montessori!" But no. It was Magda Gerber of the REI framework of infant parenting.
Which, might I add, this book sneakily mentions in the beginning with an "inspired by". Last I checked, it should have been "appropriated from" because this wasn't inspiration, it was straight up word for word theft-and-rebranding.
And the other "inspiration" mentioned at the beginning of the book? You guessed it, they tried to call *that* Montessori as well. (It was respectful parenting which is where you ask and wait for a response from the child.)
I thought as women we were tired of having our ideas claimed by others. Why are we doing it, too?
Allow me, if you will, to go on a little rant. I studied early childhood development and early childhood education in graduate school. There was a time (cough Skinner cough) when young children from birth until about the age of reason (give or take 8 years old) were thought of as little morons who would sit like a potted plant if adults didn't tell them what to do, think, and how to perceive the world; this was called the "empty vessel theory" as in children are just warm blooded jars that we adults need to fill.
As happens in all fields, this prevailing view carried the day and was the trend, until a reactionary school of thought emerged: maybe nature doesn't make mistakes and children actually are whole people with personalities and interests and whatnot. Does this sound like what you know of Montessori? Great! Because Maria Montessori was one of many researchers and thinkers working on this countervailing understanding of early childhood, but by far not the only one. Montessori worked with preschool aged children.
You know who worked with infants? Who said to create a safe space with ability appropriate manipulatives and no dangers? Who called it a "yes space"? Who said to sit back and watch the infant and trust that they will be drawn to and play with the toys that best support them in the way they are best supported? If you read this book, you might think, "Montessori!" But no. It was Magda Gerber of the REI framework of infant parenting.
Which, might I add, this book sneakily mentions in the beginning with an "inspired by". Last I checked, it should have been "appropriated from" because this wasn't inspiration, it was straight up word for word theft-and-rebranding.
And the other "inspiration" mentioned at the beginning of the book? You guessed it, they tried to call *that* Montessori as well. (It was respectful parenting which is where you ask and wait for a response from the child.)
I thought as women we were tired of having our ideas claimed by others. Why are we doing it, too?
wolfgold's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
emi253's review
2.0
This book drags on and on and could have been shorter. I had a VERY difficult time finishing this and it took me 6+ months to read. While I agree with most Montessori principles (especially the parenting aspects), many of the physical/material items are not practical and/or unsafe. I did love the lists/graphics, especially activities by age, descriptions/graphics of how to set up Montessori spaces, and the idea of "yes" spaces. If you're going to read this, I recommend reading it prior to giving birth (which I didn't) as the content starts with pregnancy.
katehoffland's review
5.0
Some material is the same as Montessori toddler. I still thought this book was very helpful. This lady really knows what makes babies tick.
kstamant's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
As the title states, its about the Montessori style of parenting. I enjoyed reading this book. And I will likely be going back to reference as my baby enters new development stages. The nice thing about this book is that you can read it all at once or you can read the sections you need at that time. Although it was very informative, DIY instructions for various Montessori items, and good infographics - but I don't think it's any kind of bible. Do recommend if you're interested in the Montessori way!