Montessori From The Start: The Child At Home From Birth To Age Three
Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen on the child at home from birth to age three, and on setting up an environment that helps focus and concentration develop instead of interrupting them. 259 pages, soft cover, 2003 edition. It is a long book by the standards of this shelf and a practical one, and the first three years are the part where the home matters more than the classroom, because there usually is not a classroom yet.
“The hands are the instruments of man's intelligence.”
Montessori From The Start bridges the gap between Montessori classroom principles and home life during the child's most formative years. This book recognizes that the child from birth to age three undergoes profound physical and psychological transformations that require specific environmental support.
- Understanding infant and toddler developmental stages and their corresponding needs
- Creating prepared home environments that promote independence and exploration
- Recognizing sensitive periods for language, movement, and order
- Implementing practical life activities appropriate for each developmental stage
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While many parents understand children need nurturing, this guide provides concrete methods for creating spaces and routines that honor the child's developmental drives. The book's focus on birth to three acknowledges Maria Montessori's discovery that education begins at birth, not at school entry. Each chapter in Montessori From The Start translates complex child development theory into practical home applications. The softcover format allows parents to reference specific sections quickly while observing their child. By addressing the unique needs of infants, toddlers, and young children separately, this guide helps parents recognize and respond to changing developmental priorities. The book empowers parents to become keen observers of their own children, moving beyond generic parenting advice to truly individualized support.
How to present it
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Find a quiet time to read one chapter, keeping a notebook nearby for observations about your own child. Choose a specific area of your home to evaluate based on the chapter's guidance.
- 1
Read the chapter's developmental overview, noting which characteristics you observe in your child
Mark pages with sticky notes for quick reference during daily routines - 2
Evaluate one area of your home using the book's environmental criteria
Start with the child's bedroom or main play area for maximum impact - 3
Implement one specific suggestion from the chapter
Choose something simple like lowering artwork to child's eye level - 4
Observe your child's response over several days
Keep brief notes about changes in behavior or engagement - 5
Adjust the implementation based on your observations
Remember that each child responds differently to environmental changes
Every Child Is a Little Creator
Heritage
Since 1929
Brands used by
schools worldwide
European brands
AMI
Endorsed
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