Dev Publishers & Distributors To Educate the Human Potential

by Maria Montessori

Maria Montessori was an Italian physician, educator, and innovator, acclaimed for her educational methods that build on the way children learn naturally. She opened the first Montessori school—the Casa dei Bambini, or Children's House—in 1907 in Italy. The Montessori method of education, named after her, is an approach to classroom learning that emphasizes independence and choice. This theory of teaching understands that children have an innate interest to learn and will be able to do so in a suitable environment. To help each child reach their individual potential, Montessori methods focus on developing the whole child — socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively. Her works are widely popular and are read across the globe in several languages and her methods are in use today in many schools globally.

Genres: Education, Parenting, Nonfiction, Psychology, Philosophy

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1947

About the author

Maria Montessori was an Italian physician, educator, philosopher, humanitarian and devout Catholic; she is best known for her philosophy and the Montessori method of education of children from birth to adolescence. Her educational method is in use today in a number of public as well as private schools throughout the world.

Reviews

[Kim Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book can be roughly broken into three sections. Chapters 1-4 deal with the psychology of the child from 7-12, focusing on the development of morality, the difference between productive use of the imagination and fanciful use, and also the role of the subconscious in learning. Chapters 5-18 outline how to present the universe to children in the form of lessons that "strike the imagination." The last chapters return to psychology and include Montessori's cell specialization analogy, comparing the specialization of cells and organs and the creation of biological systems to the development of civilization. In the conclusion, she outlines the differences between traditional and Montessori teachers.

This book is not as interesting to me as From Childhood to Adolescence, and takes quite a few wrong turns. While her ideas about the development of child morality in tandem with their discovery of themselves as part of society makes sense, her long exploration of the subconscious is dated. Also, I am not sold on her ideas about two kinds of imagination - one productive and one escapist. I skimmed the chapters outlining the "strike the imagination" lessons, as these are mostly irrelevant to my particular training, but these primarily seem to concern themselves with presenting the majesty of the earth and humanity in order to entice children to explore further and develop their own interests in these topics. Sadly, once again, in chapter 18 Montessori doffs her hat to eugenics - something that is a troublesome thread running through many of her other writings. Besides her ideas about the "mneme," "engrams," and "horme" and their roles in learning, I don't think that this book as a whole really moves her philosophy forward. You can read most of these ideas in her other works.

[Flora Eunishea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

[Maktabet Dar ElKalema Publishing House LOGOS]

لا أحد ينكر مدى صعوبة تعليم القيم الأخلاقية لدى الطّفل ولا سيما في مرحلة ما بعد السادسه، حيث يتصرّف الأطفال بطريقة قد تبدو مبهمة بالنسبة للأمهات يمتلك فيها الطفل دائمًا ولحظيًّا ردًّا على كل ما نقوله ومن ثم يبدوا متمرّدًا عاصيًا ..

تشعر الأمهات في تلك المرحلة غالبًا بالألم لأن أطفالهنّ لم يعودوا كالسّابق فكل الحب والعطف يصبح إستبدادا يبدي الأطفال عدم ارتباطهم بالأمهات فقد حدث تغير داخلي لكن منتسوري تطمئنك حيث تقول أن ذلك طبيعة منطقيّة تماما لأن الطفل يُستثار للمعرفة والفهم وأن مطلب الإستقلال الفكري هو رغبة للتمييز بين الخير والشّر عن طريق قواه هو..

يضم الكتاب تلك المرحلة من حياة الطّفل، والطّريقة الأمثل لتعاملك مع المحيط به والكون من حوله، بالإضافة لفهم أسباب تصرفات الطّفل المتمردة في ذلك الوقت مثل كونها مرحلة عمرية يهتم فيها الطفل بالحقل الأخلاقي والتمييز بين الخير والشّر، فهو لم يعد مجرّد مستقبل، أو مستوعب بسهولة للإنطباعات، بل يريد أن يفهم من أجل ذاته لا أن يكون وعاءًا للحقائق وحسب، وبمجرّد أن ينمو النّشاط الأخلاقي فهو يريد إستخدام رؤاه وأحكامه الخاصّه والتي غالبًا ما تكون مختلفه عن تلك التي من حوله.

كما يتحدّث الكتاب عن الأشياء التي يجب غرسها في الطّفل لتلك المرحلة العمريّة مثل إستدعاء انتباه الأطفال لحشود الرجال والنساء البعيدين عن دائرة الضوء والشهرة ويكمن الغرض من ذلك لتوهج حب الإنسانية، ليس حُبًّا على شاكلة مايوعظ به اليوم، مثل الأخوة وليس حبًّا سياسيًّا كالذي يدفع الطبقات العامله لاسترداد الحقوق أو النّهوض بالعمال، فحقيقة ما يحتاجه المجتمع الآن "أن لا نتفضل على الإنسانية بالمحبّة" لكن الوعي التبجيلي لكرامتها وقيمتها ويجب أن يُصقل هذا ويتم تهذيبه بالطريقة ذاتها التي ينمى بها الوجدان الديني الذي يجب أن يكون بداخلنا جميعًا، مما يوصلنا في النّهاية لأن لا نحتاج أن يذكرنا أحد بأن لا أحد يستطيع أن يُحِبّ الله بينما يظلّ غير مُحِب لجاره ..

[Ily · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Come educare il potenziale umano" è frutto di una serie di conferenze in India alle quali la scienziata e il figlio Mario hanno partecipato nel 1943. Dalla sua lettura emerge l'importanza di stimolare l'immaginazione dei bambini partendo dal racconto entusiasmante della Terra, le sue fatiche nel trasformarsi di era in era, per prepararsi alla comparsa degli Homo e ai grandi geni che hanno poi contribuito a rendere questo posto migliore. Infatti è solo comprendendo, e quindi rispettando la natura e i suoi elementi (tutti fondamentali alla vita), che è possibile formare "allievi che possono assolvere pienamente i compiti del cittadino di una comunità civile", futuri soggetti che non sono più in balìa degli eventi, ma veri protagonisti responsabili e democratici nonché consapevoli, nel profondo, dell'importanza della salvaguardia di tutti gli esseri viventi.

[Erik Akre · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic, probably my favorite Montessori book for its more sweeping and cosmic viewpoint. Also a book that touches on Montessori method for adolescents, with implications beyond. She addresses human development in its entirety, and the development of the human race. Moreover, this book takes a larger look at life and the cosmos, and applies it to education. As a later work of Maria Montessori, its perspective is broad and encompassing, not limited to details of specific age groups or learning materials. The writing and the sentiment evidence the spiritual maturity she reached later in her life, after returning from India at the end of WWII.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good reminder that you have to spark the child's interest. Intended to help interpret the method for the 6-12 year old. Last bit of the book is a reminder of how old some of this is and how there have been new findings in science and archeology.

Maria Montessori was ahead of her time.

[Luca Dell'Oca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Questo è il primo libro di Montessori che leggo, e devo ammettere che l'idea che mi ero fatta di questa persona è cambiata dopo la lettura, ma non in meglio purtroppo.
Chiariamoci: è sempre stata descritta come una delle massime esperte di educazione infantile, e su questo aspetto il libro mi ha confermato totalmente questa cosa. I capitoli dedicati all'educazione, all'insegnamento, hanno un potenza notevole data dalle sue teorie e osservazioni.
Purtroppo però, come capita a molti, quando si sconfina in materie che non sono le proprie, il rischio di dire castronerie è sempre dietro l'angolo. E questo è quello che accade nella parte centrale del libro: qui Montessori offre una sua personale visione della storia della Terra, narrata come una favola, e la cosa andrebbe anche bene per raccontarla ai bambini, ma purtroppo impregnata di concetti in parte teologici e in parte addirittura animistici che poco hanno a che vedere con quanto si sta descrivendo. Mi spiace signora Montessori, ma le specie viventi non nascono perchè hanno uno scopo datole da qualcuno, i pesci non nuotano perchè così facendo rimestano l'acqua che così arriva fino agli immobili coralli, le piante non hanno "deciso" di consumare CO2 perchè così avrebbero permesso agli uomini di respirare. Il tutto avviene perchè c'è una nicchia libera nell'ecosistema che qualche specie occupa. Da qui, si procede per tentativi, prove fallite, specie estinte o diffuse a seconda di come le stesse si sono adattate all'ambiente.
E dire che Darwin aveva pubblicato i suoi studi un secolo prima di questo libro, ma evidentemente la signora Montessori la pensava diversamente, perchè in quell'abisso di ignoranza che è il capitolo 8 arriva ad affermare che i dinosauri si sono estinti in favore di esseri più deboli, (cito testuale) "la qual cosa prova che la sopravvivenza del meglio adattato non è una legge fondamentale per la natura". E dice anche che siccome erano grandi e stupidi e abbandonavano le proprie uova, dimostrando scarso spirito maternro, un pò se lo sono meritati, mentre è giusto che siano poi emersi esseri come gli uccelli e i mammiferi perchè loro sì hanno un grande spirito materno. Raramente ho letto castronerie peggiori, quando l'evidenza scientifica era assodata oramai da un secolo. Al confronto l'horror vacui di Aristole è scienza di prim'ordine.

Voto 5 per la parte sull'educazione, voto 0 per la parte scientifica. Onesto 3 di media arrotondato pure per eccesso.
Spero che altri suoi libri più incentrati sull'educazione infantile siano migliori, e che nelle sue scuole le scienze non vengano insegnate in questo modo.

[Ruta Alb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maria Montessori clearly had her own vision and way on how to raise children, later how to educate them. This book is a short teaching on how to educate 6 - 12 year olds. The beginning of the book was very interesting and inspiring. There, she speaks about the changes in a child's mind, their perception of our world. Therefore, she claims that „our teaching must only answer the mental needs of the child, never dictate them.“ She also claims that „Children show a great attachment to the abstract subjects when they arrive at them through manual activity“.
The rest of the book was a cheat sheet on how to actually tell a story of the universe to children - this part was less exciting for me.
So what did I take from this book to myself?
A wondering of how great it would be if someone would manage to change our educational system. What if we eliminated the wasteful „labor at memorizing some important piece of work“.?

[Bridgid · Rating 4 out of 5]

p18 "The secret of good teaching is to regard the child's intelligence as a fertile field in which seeds may be sown, to grow under the heat of flaming imagination. Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorise, but so t touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his innermost core. We do not want complacent pupils, but eager ones."

p26 "The great Italian poet, Dante, has said: 'the greatest wisdom is first to love'…..it is hoped that when this sentiment of love for all subjects can be aroused in children, people in general will become more human, and brutal wars will come to an end....let us in education ever call the attention of children....so kindling a love of humanity."

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Montessorian, I found a number of inspiring passages within this book. There are definitely helpful perspectives and reminders. There are parts that are difficult to get through, however, and some viewpoints that in contemporary times are a bit problematic (for example, certain civilizations being superior to others).

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this for a Montessori teacher training and have to say this has been my favorite of Maria Montessori’s books so far. I enjoyed basically most of the history of the world in a somewhat story format making it interesting and informative in a condensed way.

[Cara Fuller Engelbrecht · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know it is an original Montessori book, but I could not stay engaged. It was also more geared to the elementary-aged child.

[Carlomaria Berruti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libro un po diverso da quello che mi aspettavo tuttavia molto interessante e pieno di spunti validi

[Danah Alawadhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was easy to read, although there were a few pages that left me perplexed about her religious views, which felt somewhat contradictory.

[Sofia Pedrosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surpreendeu-me. Estava a espera que fosse sobre o método mas explica sobretudo a evolução da vida na terra fazendo contraponto com a essência da vida e humanidade.

[Seamusin]

Recommended by the AMI Orientation course

[Andreas Palmblad · Rating 3 out of 5]

2

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I do not work with elementary kids, I think that this book is one helpful for all ages. It explains that during the elementary years, kids can expand so much culturally and really become involved and aware with worldly matters...with great inspiration from the teacher's enthusiasm and their own action. I can learn a lot from this book, too!

[Y Liang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insight into her thinking about the world and how she extends her educational philosophy to the elementary level. Her conclusions about the sacrifice of productive individuals are geared toward the personal sacrifices that they made; however, the sacrifice was not that they gave up short-sighted pleasures but that they were forced, by other men, to sacrifice their freedom to work.

[Dian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Montessori thoughts about curriculum for children. Children has imaginative power but Montessori wanted to tie it with reality, such as cosmic plan (started with universe, evolution) and not fairy tales.

[Asmaa · Rating 2 out of 5]

كلامها عن تحرير إرادة الطفل وقوته الداخلية وتحبيبه للعلم .. إلخ جيد جدا
لكن لم يعجبني كلامها عن الحضارات والتاريخ - وذلك لاختلاف المذاهب الدينية والفلسفية - وإن كنت أرى أن هدفها نبيل حول إيجاد أرضية مشتركة لبنوا البشر عامة والأطفال خصوصا

[Mara Cortona · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the principles of cosmic education and to the psychology of the elementary-aged child – as others have noted, aspects of her psychological theories are dated, but as a whole there is much of value in this little book.

[Emily Fjare]

This is a brilliant, condensed view of Maria Montessori's Educational Philosophy.

[Mary-Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short book that runs through parts of the elementary curriculum by recounting world history. Informative.

[Tysseer Harak · Rating 2 out of 5]

مش أفضل كتب مونتسوري ولا أفضل تأملاتها ولا أفضل ترجمة تقراها :(

[Rehab Saad · Rating 1 out of 5]

لوهلة هنفكر ان الكتاب ليه علاقة بسيكلوجية الطفل والتربية ودعمة وخلافة لان الكاتبه هي ماريا منتسوي فى الا ان كل شوية كنت بطلع على الغلاف اتأكد ان ماريا منتسوري هي اللى كتباه