Paula Polk Lillard

What has this book inspired me to think and do as a new father of a 1 year old girl?
To observe more and try to teach her to be independent by showing her how to do things like soap herself instead of doing it all for her. To provide order in her environment by having a simple play space with a bookshelf used to separate her toys and only putting out a few books which we rotate every once in a while and having a few toys out, trying to go for wooden toys which allow her the ability to control show more the play and provide her with a sense of completion such as the stacking wooden toy. The hardest advice for me to follow from this book is to stick to a routine/schedule and provide consistency for her. show less

Geared toward parents, but it was my first introduction to Montessori. I like the emphasis on developing children and linking hand and brain. I also liked the suggestion that children today given passive toys -- wind up mobiles, electronic toys, computer / television -- fail to develop self motivation and focus so grow up with ADHD.

This book has many interesting points on parenting, but overall it's a bit too dry. I wish it went into more specifics on Montessori practices, but it seems to assume some prior Montessori knowledge. It's a nice overview of the Montessori method for young children though and I'm glad I read it as a comparison to other child rearing methods.

12/6/22