Maria Montessori - Free Ebook - Absorbent Mind & Book Recommendations

Dr. Maria Montessori is the founder of the Montessori method of education. She started her first classroom “Casa dei Bambini” or Children’s House in 1907.

Montessori method of education stresses the importance of respecting children – “Help me to help myself”. 

Maria Montessori was born on August 31st 1870. It was her birthday yesterday and I cannot say enough how much I owe to this dynamic and innovative woman as far as my parenting journey is considered. The Montessori philosophy changed my perspective as a parent, it was a paradigm shift I must admit.

So here is a BIG THANK YOU to Maria Montessori for guiding me and many many parents & caregivers!

If you are new to this, you might want to read the biography of Maria Montessori HERE.

According to Montessori, the goal of education is “to be able to find activities that are so intrinsically meaningful that we want to throw ourselves into them”. According to her, the child builds itself through experiences on the environment. On this notion, she developed a set of didactic materials which leads to sensory education, muscular coordination, and language development. These didactic materials have built-in “control of error” which gives the child concrete proof of whether its work is right or wrong, this also frees the teacher from being the person of reinforcement.

FREE EBOOK - ABSORBENT MIND BY MARIA MONTESSORI

Here is one book on her philosophy that is written by herself - the very famous ABSORBENT MIND. 

It is a must-read for everyone who is interested in Montessori. This book is not a practical guide, it doesn't tell you, what to do or give you certain activities, it is a very philosophical book. It opens your eyes and makes you look differently at children, childhood, society.

Montessori is so much more about the attitude, about philosophy and principles than about certain tools, materials or activities. All the great work and Montessori-inspired materials & activities are quite useless, if you don't get the philosophy right. 

And now lastly, here is the FREE EBOOK version of this awesome book ABSORBENT MIND.

If you wish to read this book in paperback, here is the Amazon affiliate link (with no extra cost to you). Buy using this link to happily support this blog of mine.

I would also suggest these books for some additional reading on Montessori. You would love them for sure!

Earn some good karma and share this post with an awesome FREE resource with your friends or fellow parents/caregivers who would be interested in Montessori. 

---

Do not forget to follow us on Facebook page & closed Facebook group, Twitter and Instagram for day to day updates that might not always find a place on this blog. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to know more about our early learning journey, DIY & Montessori-inspired activities for kids, kids books & toys reviews and much more!

Hope to see you around. Happy Parenting!

---

Read More »

Waldorf Education & Parenting Resources - Links That I Love To Go Back & Read

I have been following Montessori with my son and now I am also being attracted to another alternative education philosophy - Waldorf. I like to read a lot on the topics that excite me & these days it is Waldorf. I thought this compilation would be a good resource for myself & people like me who would like to know more about Waldorf.

These are links about Waldorf education that I like to go back, read & refer. Below the hyperlinks, I have added an excerpt of the actual post.

I will keep on adding links here as I go ahead in my parenting journey, so you might want to have this link bookmarked :)

What Are Waldorf Toys?
I will go on to explain that the kinds of toys we carry are wooden, eco-friendly and organic toys. You know, “green toys.” This gives most people a better idea, but there is so much more to it than that. Beyond simply being natural toys, what exactly makes a toy a “Waldorf toy?”

Comparision Of Montessori & Waldorf Methodologies
This comparison of Waldorf and Montessori educational philosophies is based on my personal experience as a teacher in both Montessori and Waldorf school systems. I would like to preface my remarks by stressing that there can be much difference from one classroom to another in any philosophy, due to the style and interpretation of the individual teacher

Singing Through The Day - Discovering Waldorf
Today, Melody, from Little Home Blessings, talks about song and how meaningful it can be for parents and for children. I too have been utterly amazed at how song has calmed my children and has helped them to do things they are resisting. In fact, if A Good Man wants to tease me, he often does it in a sing song voice… and I smile inwardly, knowing that Waldorf has seeped into his heart too.


Waldorf and Montessori: How do they compare?
Both Steiner and Montessori developed educational systems that were developmentally appropriate for children, and both stress a learning environment that is aesthetically pleasing. Both systems are designed to awaken the senses of the young child, and both incorporate moral development in their curriculum. Both philosophies discourage television for young children and consider it to be detrimental to the child’s social, emotional, and intellectual development. Both philosophies also value the concept of students having the same teacher for several years. There are many differences in the “methods” of the two philosophies.

List Of Links & Blogs From Cincinati Waldorf School

Handwork In Waldorf Schools

Why is handwork considered so vital? It is patently obvious that handwork can nourish artistic sensibilities, bring practical skills, and reinforce numeracy. But how does it affect learning?

Early Childhood In Waldorf - List Of Articles (The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia)
A bunch of articles on early childhood in Waldorf environment.

Discovering Waldorf Series 
A beautiful series of so many articles covering different aspects of Waldorf philosophy. A great starting point for Waldorf.

Books To Teach Alphabets -The Waldorf Way 
Waldorf alphabet books are read to a young child to engage the imagination and bring the ABC’s to life. The fairy tale like stories will help a child develop an intimate relationship with each letter of the alphabet.
Waldorf educators believe that it is important to develop the imagination before reading is introduced. The first part of this exploration takes place through rhymes, poems, and stories like those found below.
It is believed that reading these beautiful books and magical tales will help unlock the keys to the written word and prepare a child to read.

Wet On Wet Painting
single color wet on wet painting
two color wet on wet painting
three color wet on wet painting

DIY Waldorf Square Puzzle
Both children and adults can exercise their geometric and spatial thinking while tinkering with this puzzle’s 3-dimensional pieces. Many variations of shapes, colors, and patterns are possible.
They are the perfect STEAM toy to leave out on tables and desks to invite creative play.

Open-ended Toys For Pretend Play

Play is the most important work of early childhood. Children begin to understand the world around them through movement and play. As parents and caregivers, we must provide play environments that allow children to discover the world at their own pace.

Waldorf Toys For Preschoolers

The Waldorf Steiner education practices hands on learning activities, while providing a lovely natural environment perfectly suited for creative play. That is one of the things that really draws me into loving Waldorf. Here you will find open ended toys and beautiful items that your children will enjoy for years to come.

Read More »