The books below are valuable resource for parents wanting to learn more about Montessori, childhood development, and other topics relevant to our school. Also below are educational toys that make great gifts for young Montessori children. Any purchases you make through our direct links here will also benefit the school.
Little Big Minds: Sharing Philosophy with Kids
A guide for parents and educators to sharing the enduring ideas of the biggest minds throughout the centuries-from Plato to bell hooks-with the “littlest” minds.
Children are no strangers to cruelty and courage, to love and to loss, and in this unique book teacher and educational consultant Marietta McCarty reveals that they are, in fact, natural philosophers. Drawing on a program she has honed in schools around the country over the last fifteen years, Little Big Minds guides parents and educators in introducing philosophy to K-8 children in order to develop their critical thinking, deepen their appreciation for others, and brace them for the philosophical quandaries that lurk in all of our lives, young or old.
Arranged according to themes-including prejudice, compassion, and death-and featuring the work of philosophers from Plato and Socrates to the Dalai Lama and Martin Luther King Jr., this step-by-step guide to teaching kids how to think philosophically is full of excellent discussion questions, teaching tips, and group exercises.
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
You can stop fighting with your children! Here is the bestselling book that will give you the know-how you need to be more effective with your children—and more supportive of yourself. Enthusiastically praised by parents and professionals around the world, the down-to-earth, respectful approach of Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish makes relationships with children of all ages less stressful and more rewarding. Now, in this thirtieth-anniversary edition, these award-winning experts share their latest insights and suggestions based on feedback they’ve received over the years.
Positive Discipline for Preschoolers
Caring for young children is one of the most challenging tasks an adult will ever face. No matter how much you love your child, there will be moments filled with frustration, anger, and even desperation. There will also be questions: Why does my four-year-old deliberately lie to me? Why won’t my three-year-old listen to me? Should I ever spank my preschooler when she is disobedient? Over the years, millions of parents just like you have come to trust the Positive Discipline series and its commonsense approach to child-rearing. Now completely updated to report the latest research in child development and learning, Positive Discipline for Preschoolers will teach you how to use methods to raise a child who is responsible, respectful, and resourceful. You’ll find practical solutions for how to:- Avoid the power struggles that often come with mastering sleeping, eating, and potty training – See misbehavior as an opportunity to teach nonpunitive discipline—not punishment – Instill valuable social skills and positive behavior inside and outside the home by using methods that teach important life skills – Employ family and class meetings to tackle behavorial challenges – And much, much more!
A step-by-step guide to cooking with kids ages 18 months to 9 years: Have you noticed that your child wants to do everything you’re doing? Even young children are fascinated by the world of adult work. Bring them into the kitchen with you and seize the opportunity to help them develop their independence, confidence, critical thinking, and coordination! This step-by-step guide includes everything you need to get started: an overview of the benefits of cooking with children, the details of making your kitchen kid-friendly, sequenced beginner skills to prepare your young child for cooking, and ten tried-and-true pictorial recipes for your child to follow from easy to more complex with minimal adult support. They’ll have fun and learn along the way!
Teach Me To Do It Myself: Montessori Activities for You and Your Child
Based on the key Montessori principle that children learn best through active experience, Teach Me to Do It Myself presents simple activities through which children explore and develop their skills. These skill areas include sensory perceptions, body coordination, language, understanding of numbers, and movement. This practical, color-illustrated parenting book is filled with activities and instructions for overseeing children as they carry out a variety of learning activities. This book is ideal for parents who are trying to help reinforce what their children are learning during the school day.
How To Raise An Amazing Child the Montessori Way
This book focuses on Montessori techniques parents can use at home. It is a wonderful guide for parents looking to instill confidence, curiosity and a love of learning in their young children.
There are a wealth of toys, books and games that are great gift ideas for the Montessori child. Pass this list on to your friends and grandparents. Any items purchased using the links on this page will benefit the school.
Toys and Games
Melissa & Doug Pattern Blocks and Boards
A favorite in the classroom, this set helps children with pattern recognition, fine motor skills and mathematical thinking. The colorful shapes can be used to create mosaics long after they have mastered the patterns on the boards.
Learning Resources Super Sorting Pie
This fun and durable toy helps teach and reinforce early counting skills. The tweezers also aid in fine motor skill development.
The movable alphabet is a great tool used to teach and reinforce early reading skills and beginning spelling. Uses for this in the home are boundless.
This beautifully illustrated book captures the imagination and brings nature alive for children. Every page includes small facts about eggs, from their purpose to their conclusion. This author also has other wonderful books illustrated and written in the same manner, a perfect addition to any child’s library.