Montessori is a public domain name, which means that any school can call themselves a Montessori school. It is important for parents to learn about Montessori education when selecting a school, and to continue to learn throughout their child’s time in Montessori school.
We have included the following resources about Montessori education, programs, and research to assist prospective parents and enrolled parents with this important responsibility.
Videos
Dr. Steve Hughes: Montessori and the Future of Education Dr. Steve Hughes, pediatric neurologist, talks about how Montessori education as a model for future educational practices—and Dr. Montessori’s anticipation of recent neurological research.
Montessori Madness Created by Montessori father, advocate, and author Trevor Eissler, this video talks about how Montessori education keeps the fire for learning alive in children. We also recommend the book Montessori Madness by Trevor Eissler
Living Montessori: Stephen Curry and Family - NBA superstar Stephen Curry, and his remarkable family, tell us how a Montessori education has helped shape their outlook on life in an exclusive interview, filmed at the Christian Montessori School at Lake Norman where Stephen's mother, Sonya Curry, is the head of school.
A Montessori Morning - Created by photographer and Montessori mother Lindsay Palmer, this charming video shows the 3-hour work cycle of a child in the preschool environment .. . compressed to 4 minutes!
Nurturing the Love of Learning: Montessori Education for the Preschool Years - This video was originally produced by the American Montessori Society.
Imagine a School: Montessori for Elementary Age Learners This EdVid video by Eric Johnson shows how Montessori works for elementary students. Please note that most Montessori Elementary students have a strong foundation in Montessori Primary programs before advancing to Montessori Elementary school.
Building the Pink Tower - Originally released by Building this fundraising trailer is very good at explaining what makes Montessori different than traditional methods of education. Building the Pink Tower will be a documentary film that reimagines schools and learning through the lens of Montessori education
Montessori: Learning for Life - Documentary | Directed by Paul Dowie | Narration by Geire Kami
Articles
Evaluating Montessori Education - This is the article in Science Magazine that Dr. Hughes refers to in the video above.
Playful Learning and Montessori Education by Dr. Angeline S. Lillard
Books for Parents by Montessori Educators, Researchers, and Parents
Montessori: A Modern Approach by Paula Polk Lillard - Montessori: A Modern Approach has been called the single best book for anyone -- educator, childcare professional, and especially parent -- seeking answers to the questions: What is the Montessori method? Are its revolutionary ideas about early childhood education relevant to today's world? And most important, especially for today's dual-career couples. Is a Montessori education right for my child?
Montessori Madness by Trevor Eissler - Written by a parent for parents, Eisler’s book answers many of the questions today’s parents have about Montessori education and its differences from traditional schools. Very accessible language — a quick read!
Montessori: Science Behind the Genius by Angelline S. Lillard, PhD - Dr. Lillard shows that science is finally catching up with Dr. Maria Montessori. Current scientific research provides astounding support for her major insights. Dr. Lillard presents the research concerning eight insights that are foundational to Montessori education and describes how each of these insights is applied in the Montessori classroom. In reading this book, parents and educators alike will develop a clear understanding of what happens in a Montessori classroom and, more important, why it happens and why it works.
Montessori from the Start: The Child at Home from Birth to Age Three by Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen - 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 anecdote and encouragement, and written in a clear, engaging style, this book is a practical and useful guide to raising calm, capable, and confident children.
How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way by Tim Seldin - A great introduction for the Montessori curious. Beautiful photos, with lots of basic suggestions for setting up your home and parenting tips to align with your child’s developmental period from birth to age 6. Reminiscent of DK books in it’s visual appeal.
Montessori Parenting: Unveiling the Authentic Self by Dr. Jim and Sonnie McFarland - A guide to implementation of Montessori philosophy in the home, helping children develop inner discipline, creating environments that enhance children’s natural developmental process, enhance children’s authentic nature, and more. A must-read for all parents and teachers of young children who want to really understand and provide the environment for a child to develop into a whole and compassionate human being.
Books by Dr. Montessori
The following books were written by Dr. Maria Montessori and are the basis of our educational philosophy at MSMV. We highly recommend these books to educators, physicians, child psychologists, and others interested in learning about The Montessori Method.
The Absorbent Mind by Dr. Maria Montessori
The Secret of Childhood by Dr. Maria Montessori
Discovery of the Child by Dr. Maria Montessori
From Childhood to Adolescence by Dr. Maria Montessori
The Montessori Method by Dr. Maria Montessori
Dr. Montessori’s Own Handbook by Dr. Maria Montessori
Education for a New World by Dr. Maria Montessori