Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook: Her Methods and the Why Behind Them (Illustrated in Full Color)

PrefaceIf a preface is a light which should serve to illumine the contents of a volume, I choose, not words, but human figures to illustrate this little book intended to enter families where children are growing up. I therefore recall here, as an eloquent symbol, Helen Keller and Mrs. Anne Sullivan Macy, who are, by their example, both teachers to myself––and, before the world, living documents of the miracle in education.In fact, Helen Keller is a marvelous example of the phenomenon common to all human beings: the possibility of the liberation of the imprisoned spirit of man by the education of the senses. Here lies the basis of the method of education of which the book gives a succinct idea.If one only of the senses sufficed to make of Helen Keller a woman of exceptional culture and a writer, who better than she proves the potency of that method of education which builds on the senses? If Helen Keller attained through exquisite natural gifts to an elevated conception viiiof the world, who better than she proves that in the inmost self of man lies the spirit ready to reveal itself?Helen, clasp to your heart these little children, since they, above all others, will understand you. They are your younger brothers: when, with bandaged eyes and in silence, they touch with their little hands, profound impressions rise in their consciousness, and they exclaim with a new form of happiness: “I see with my hands.” They alone, then, can fully understand the drama of the mysterious privilege your soul has known. When, in darkness and in silence, their spirit left free to expand, their intellectual energy redoubled, they become able to read and write without having learnt, almost as it were by intuition, they, only they, can understand in part the ecstasy which God granted you on the luminous path of learning.Maria Montessori.Originally published in 1914, Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook was Montessori's explanation of her theory and philosophy of education which emphasized sensory exploration and manipulatives. As you read through her work, you'll see why her methods have withstood the test of time, and only grow more popular today. The latest counts have there being over 20,000 Montessori schools worldwide, with more than 3,000 of those being in the United States. Of those 3,000 Montessori schools in the U.S., roughly 560 of them are public schools. Having the utmost respect for Dr. Montessori, we've re-released her original text. Exactly as is. Although slightly antiquated, her prose is quite charming and lends itself to the overall idea of her time. We have updated photographs throughout, as to modernize the aesthetic and provide visual reference in full color.Features:• Paperback: 6" x 9"• Hardcover: 7" x 10"• Also available on Kindle• Full Color• 107 pages Read more