The Secret of Childhood

by Maria Montessori

Book Overview

This book helps us to recognize what the child's needs are, but from the child's perspective. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345305833
• Release Date: January 1982
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 0.7" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Good Seller

The product arrived in time and it is in a good shape. Very satisfactory transaction.

Good Overview

I wanted to know more about Montessori before enrolling my children in a school using her technique. This book provided good information and understanding.

The Secrets of 'The Secret of Childhood'

Since 1936, when her seminal work 'The Secret of Childhood' was first published, Maria Montessori has been the leading figure in promoting a holistic education approach to children of all ages. Concepts as radical as the three fundamental freedoms (the freedom to repeat work, the freedom to move around the classroom and the freedom to choose which work they want to do) that each child should have, blast forth form the pages like a breaking news story. However, the 'secrets' in the book quickly surface as Montessori begins with a look at the traditional perception of the child. She believed that the child was going to be the major concern of the twentieth century and when the education systems that exist today are compared to those of the turn of the 20th century, it can easily be argued that she was right. She does not end with feeble predictions, however, and goes on to talk of how adults have failed children and will continue to do so unless they change their attitude to children. For some this book will not turn out to be the rainbows and cuddly toys that they traditionally associate with books concerning young children! She pulls no punches in condemning those who have held children in such low regard for so long.The psychological features present in the new born child, feature strongly in the early part of the book. Montessori cites the work of Hugo de Vries as a precursor to her work on 'Sensitive Periods', which are essentially, periods of time throughout the child's development where he is able to learn certain life skills. Once these periods are missed, it is unlikely that the child will be able to learn the skill, ever. These skills include speech, mobility and several others. From this snippet alone, it would seem that this work is very important to all parents, or people who are thinking about being parents.Next there is a look at 'Order' and how important a well ordered environment is to the child. It is not as simple as putting everything away so that the child can not hurt him or herself with things or break things. Montessori believes that the child should be encouraged to explore the environment. She believes that the only real way that the child can do this, is if the environment is maintained so that the child can become familiar with its contents. The environment, she is careful to add, is not solely made up of the physical rooms and items, it is also made up of actions, sounds and everything that a child is exposed to.The second part of the book focuses on how to educate the child. As with much that Montessori writes, there is a certain spirituality contained in the book that seems to help adults in their comprehension of the fact that the child is to be perceived as a whole being. Throughout the section that tells a brief history of the first school, there is clearly a more metaphyical nature to this approach of education.The first school was opened in 1907, called Casa dei Bambini. The observations that Mo

Montessori's Philosophy is respectful and beautiful.

This as well as many books written by Dr. Montessori are enlightening, educational and serve as a model for all parents raising children today. Her vision of peace and all of her teachings need to be brought to responsible parents and care givers. Children are our future....peace was Maria Montessori's vision....teach it!

Excellent, simple to read. Helped me to be a better parent!

This is an important work because it highlights what is wrong with common trends in parenting. You learn that the parent is there to foster a positive environment in which a child can thrive. It is not complicated. The child will show you what they need and when they need it. This book helps you to recognize what the child's needs are, but from the child's perspective. I found it to be a breath of fresh air and wished my parents had read it.