There are many of you out there who want to use the Montessori method and want to learn more about it. The internet is full of information and you don’t know where to start. Maybe the closest Montessori school to you is 4 hours away and there is no one to ask about Montessori in your circle. I get often asked about resource recommendations for beginners. I decided to support this desire for exploration and learning.
I asked experienced Montessorians, teachers, consultants, guides and experts to recommend one resource for a person who just discovered Montessori method and wants to learn more about it. I asked to name the resource that can be a starting point in your Montessori exploration. I suggested them to name any resource that they think is important, helpful and that is the best one to start with. So this can be book, site, article, podcast, course or whatever that will help the searching mind to find the answers and understanding.
If this is what you are looking for I would ask you to use this resource wisely. I would recommend you to choose 1-3 resources from the recommendations and write them down on a paper for yourself. Then I would ask you to investigate and explore them properly. When you think you are done with these 3 choose next one. This way you will really use this knowledge and not only read and skip. I am very grateful to all the lovely Montessorians who contributed to this list. I should say that they all treated it very seriously and even asked time to think about their choice. So you can not waste this opportunity.
Pamela Green:
About me: I am a Montessori Guide, Consultant, parent educator, workshop facilitator, childbirth educator, Birth Doula, and Assistant Midwife. Visit me at Anandamontessori.com
Tammy Oesting:
About me: Twenty-five years ago I stepped foot in my first Montessori classroom as an assistant and never imagined my journey would drive me to pursue my training as a 3-6 then 6-12 teacher, Director of Education, teacher trainer, and now, the founder of a professional development company. From my dogma as an intern fresh from training to my seasoned view of how Montessori is applied around the world, I am more than convinced that this methodology serves children and the advancement of humankind. Visit me at www.classroomechanics.com
Matt Bronsil:
About me: I grew up in Montessori. I was brought into my parents’ classroom as an infant and am now a Montessori 3-6 Teacher in Taiwan. Visit me at www.MontessoriWebinars.com
Lolly Kent:
About me: I am a Montessori teacher (6-12) and Montessori mum. I have several years experience in Montessori classrooms and currently tutor students using Montessori principles and materials. Visit me at elementaryobservations.blogspot.com.au
Angela Hardy:
About me: Once, a child told me she wanted to change the world because of me. You can inspire children without knowing anything about Montessori, but Montessori does a great job of exploiting all the best ways of inspiring individuals.
Yuliya Fruman:
About me: I am a mom, raising my two children in a Montessori inspired home. My son is 4 years old, and I present Montessori style activities for him at home. Visit me at www.welcometomommyhood.com
Meghan Hicks:
About me: I am trained in 0-12, I teach children from birth to age 16 in various settings, I lecture for two international Montessori teacher training institutes, I write about Montessori for families, I travel to schools around the world to help them refine their environments and their practices, I homeschool my own children.
Jeanne-Marie Paynel:
About me: I am a Montessori Parenting Mentor and Home Consultant, founder and owner of Voila Montessori, empowering parents to nurture their children’s full potential with joy and confidence. Visit me at www.voilamontessori.com
Carine Robin:
About me: I’m a Montessori teacher for children aged 3 to 6. I work for myself now, I run a parents/toddler group and I offer private support to help parents to incorporate the Montessori principles into their family life. Visit me at www.montessori-family.co.uk
Simone Davies:
About: Simone has been working in Montessori since 2004. She is a trained AMI teacher who runs parent-child Montessori classes in Amsterdam at Jacaranda Tree Montessori and has two children who have attended Montessori school through primary school. Visit me at www.themontessorinotebook.com
Tamarah Rosenberg:
About me: I am unnatural Montessorian, my soul is loud and chaotic. Creating a peaceful place for my children brought peace to my soul.
Kelly Johnson:
About me: I am trained AMS 6-9 and have been a Montessorian since 2000 in many capacities, from art and music teacher to toddler assistant to garden coordinator to substitute to lower elementary lead teacher. I find immense joy in the method and philosophy because I see how holistically amazing it is for children, and I adore the aesthetic preparation of the adults and environment. Visit me at www.wingswormsandwonder.com
Deb Chitwood, M.A.:
About me: I have my master’s degree in early childhood studies, and I’m a former Montessori teacher, school owner, and administrator. I was also a Montessori homeschooler and homeschooled my now-adult children through high school. Visit me at livingmontessorinow.com
Jae Espuerta:
About me: I’m a homeschooler teaching my kids through Montessori methods. Visit me at www.pinayhomeschooler.com
Carolyn Lucento:
About me: I am a seasoned Montessorian. My first training was completed in 1980 and I trained again in 2005. I have been an assistant, head teacher, school owner, site director, and now I train teachers in an AMS training program in SF Bay Area. In 2013 I left my site director/head teacher position to become a music specialist in Montessori schools throughout SF Bay area. Nowadays I teach 32 classes a week in 8 different locations…about 800 children from 3-9 yrs old. Visit me at www.magicalmovementcompany.com
Yuliya Chernikova:
About me: AMI trained teacher for the Primary level
Vanessa Thiel:
About me: I’m a Montessori (inspired) stay-at-home mom who is homeschooling my preschooler. I’m also a Pediatric RN and an IBCLC (Lactation Consultant.) Visit me at www.mamashappyhive.com
Yang Jingyi Gabrielle:
About me: I used to be a preschool teacher before becoming a stay-home mum 5 years ago. It was also then I discovered about the Montessori method and has been adopting a Montessori lifestyle with my two boys. Visit me at coffeeandtoastmama.wordpress.com
Grace En-Tien Chang:
About me: I have a BS in Biology, and have been a Montessori & brain science autodidact for the past 5 years. Have helped run a Montessori co-op and am currently undergoing my internship for my certificate at a Montessori 3~6 school in Taiwan. Visit me at whenthediaperleaks.wordpress.com
Patricia Taylor:
About me: Now I am 72, my eleven children are grown, see grandchildren seldom if at all, rent rooms in two homes [“Prepared Environments”] to keep ownership and earn more than just SS, widowed 18 years, as a watercolor artist, I teach children techniques in art, seamstress, and Montessori mentor to all I meet by chance, but on Craigslist I advertise my Montessori classroom for parents to utilize in a program that engages them with their children in learning how to present lessons and carry them into their homes – my life style centers around Christ’s and Montessori principles.
I am very thankful for all the wonderful people who shared their knowledge! I think these recommendations can be helpful to so many.
I have also created a file where I collected all the books, websites and advice in a list so you can print it for yourself and use. You can get it here HERE.
What are you going to do first? What are your top 3 advices from this list? Where would YOU recommend to start?
Montessori materials represent the total system through desirable, pearl-sized golden beads. The Montessori materials contain multiple levels of challenge and can be used regularly at different advance levels. Activities in each of those areas have clear practical benefits. Even more important are the skills such as order, concentration, focusing, and independently that practical life activities establish.To help your child during the sensitive period for cleaning of movement and to give your child every chance for success in an activity, it’s important to evaluate the movements, or break the action down into clear steps, when presenting an activity.