Heaven on Earth by Sharifa Oppenheimer

Heaven on Earth by Sharifa Oppenheimer

A resourceful friend passed this book to me after I kept asking about the Waldorf-Montessori connection. I often see Montessori homeschoolers “supplementing” with Waldorf, so I read this book on her recommendation. This book is a Waldorf based book that approaches childhood very naturally. I think it has many wonderful ideas for organizing and creating spaces and schedules for children to flourish in. I DO NOT agree with a few things in the book, I’m more Montessori than Waldorf at heart, but I DID learn a ton of great ideas and got many inspirations from this title. I’m recommending this read for the natural, inspirational, rhythmic approach to childhood it offers. If you are slightly interested in Waldorf, this book would be very informational.

 

I Can Do It! I Can Do It! 135 Successful Independent Learning Activities by La Britta Gilbert

I Can Do It! I Can Do It! 135 Successful Independent Learning Activities by La Britta Gilbert

This book is really fun! I had plenty of the items already on hand to make these Montessori style games. She has awesome suggestions for Montessori color tablets (tongue depressors), tons of practical life and sensorial activities, and  a picture for EVERY activity. I am quite certain this book will keep us busy for years! Below is a picture of a washer separation game. My four year old and I made it in one evening in Dad’s workshop. You can organize the washers all together by same size on the same nail, or stack them large to small on each nail. See the photo below for the sample project. See this link for the tongue depressor color “jars.”

 

Montessori Read & Write A Parents’ Guide to Literacy for Children by Lynne Lawrence

Montessori Read & Write A Parents’ Guide to Literacy for Children by Lynne Lawrence

This book is all about how to teach your child to read and to write and then how to merge these two together. The first half of the book is dedicated to explaining the Montessori approach and why it works. For reading it starts with games as early as two years old that increase language skills and vocabulary. It progresses through the Montessori I Spy games. These are indeed how my son has learned letter sounds along with sandpaper letters. For writing it has many suggestions that are easy as well and includes the moveable alphabet. It also includes patterns in the back. We LOVE this book. If you are teaching your child to read – this book is invaluable!

I wanted to make one point here. A lot of pink, blue, and green level Montessori items are a bit boring for my son, I do the presentations (not from this book) but frankly he’s not very excited about matching up cards. He much prefers the games in THIS book. I believe that is because we use REAL items. We also read REAL signs, grocery store signs, etc. When we play I spy, we look for REAL items on the road. He loves this. I know this book is helping him, I see the progression, and we will use if for our second son as well!

 

I Can Do It Play-and-learn activities to help your child discover the world the Montessori way by Maja Pitamic

I Can Do It Play-and-learn activities to help your child discover the world the Montessori way by Maja Pitamic

My oldest son led me to discover Montessori techniques, basically because they are which he prefers and really enjoys. He will be five in September and this book is PERFECTLY suited for this years activities for him. There are five chapters, Life Skills, Developing the Senses, Language Development, Numeracy Skills, and Science Skills. There are over 70 activities and I know we will do every one because my son and his younger brother (age 2) love them! There are patterns in the back for red/blue number rods, the moveable alphabet and a couple more. I found my copy on ebay, I couldn’t find it anywhere else.

Some activities include: setting the table, using tongs, cutting, musical scales, distinguishing sounds, word building, creating a family tree, sorting into sets, cups and counters, collecting leaves, and much much more.

 

How Children Learn by John Holt

How Children Learn by John Holt

I just read this about a month ago and it reconfirmed by strong positive feelings towards using Montessori techniques. This is because John Holt and Maria Montessori BOTH showed me that my child needs to be the guide of his education. This is the FIRST book I would recommend to ANYONE worried about their child’s education.

John Holt helped me remember details of my own education and helped me question a lot of the things I thought were truths. THIS BOOK IS VERY EYE OPENING – starting with talking about how does science actually test if children are learning, giving examples of his own dealings with young children, and addressing language and reading, and many other subjects. This book also showed me that people all think DIFFERENTLY and what I take for granted as GENERAL KNOWLEDGE isn’t actually so.

 

Our Best Montessori Book Resources

Here are the best Montessori Books we’ve found:

Montessori Research and Development – You need these manuals, they walk you through everything and the price is amazing! If you buy ANY Montessori books for homeschooling, BUY THESE! These are detailed step by step, they are for Montessori teachers and not books filled with photos and frill. These are to the point and it would be beneficial for you to have some sort of background Montessori information with these.

Child’s Play Montessori Games and Activities for Your Baby and Toddler by Maja Pitamic – our library has this one and we check it out often, we LOVE LOVE LOVE the sensory walk!

Montessori Read & Write A Parents’ Guide to Literacy for Children by Lynne Lawrence – My 4 1/2 year old has learned to read because of this book. The games are awesome and NOT boring. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND using this for BOYS because it is so hands on. NO WORKSHEETS, NOT BORING!!!! We play I Spy with sounds while driving to the grocery store.

Montessori Play and Learn A Parents Guide to Purposeful Play from Two to Six by Lesley Britton – these games span the ages well, there are many FUN, ENGAGING choices. It is very encouraging with how to incorporate Montessori ideals into your home. Great for homeschooling. Patterns included.