The 24 Best Montessori Books for Parents and Teachers
Montessori books can be helpful when it comes to any aspect of parenting or teaching. Whether you’re hoping to understand the philosophy a bit more, get ideas for using Montessori at home, or spend time delving into Montessori parenting tactics, there is certainly a book for you.
Although it might feel like you’re in the minority when using a Montessori parenting approach, there are plenty of book options and resources to guide your experience.
What are the best Montessori parenting books?
Every parent and teacher has their own set of favorite Montessori books. Depending on your needs, you might find one book more helpful than another.
However, when it comes to learning and growing as a Montessori parent or teacher, there are a few books that are considered a “must-read” within the community.
Here are some of the most highly rated and beneficial Montessori books to read for parents or teachers. Whether you’ve been practicing Montessori methods for years or are just getting started, there’s a book here for you.
Maria Montessori Books
These books take a dive into Maria Montessori’s life, observations and studies. You’ll find detailed information regarding why the method is structured in such a way and how Maria Montessori came about these discoveries.
Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius by Angeline Stoll Lillard
If you’re on the fence about incorporating Montessori practices, or just wondering why they work so well – this book explains it all. Maria Montessori’s methods are proven to be scientifically valid in this book, and great detail is given as to how the classroom or home is set up, and why it is just so.
This book takes a deep dive into the effects of using Montessori methods. You’ll learn how a Montessori upbringing or education can effect children, both cognitively and behaviorally, even as they transition into adolescents and adults.
The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori
If you want to truly understand the why and how of the Montessori method, this book will explain it all. The Absorbent Mind is a dense read that will likely take quite a while to complete. However, you will learn a vast amount about how the philosophy came to be and exactly why it is structured in the way that it is.
This book provides an analysis of children’s growth throughout their life. It takes a deep dive into their physical, cognitive and behavioral growth throughout each different phase.
The 1946 London Lectures by Maria Montessori
This book is packed with knowledge, expertise and wisdom. The 1946 Lectures is a compilation of various lectures Maria Montessori gave in 1946 during her teacher training course in London.
These lectures help demonstrate the depth of Maria Montessori’s observations and studies. You’ll gain a wealth of background knowledge regarding how she created her parenting and teaching philosophy and why it is structured just so.
Maria Montessori: Her Life and Work by EM Standing
This book is written by one of Maria Montessori’s closest collaborators, and gives and insight into her life and work. By learning more about Maria Montessori, you’ll gain an understanding of how her own education and experience formed this innovative philosophy.
The 20 Best Montessori Parenting Books
Montessori At Home Books
Montessori Play and Learn: A Parent’s Guide to Purposeful Play from Two to Six by Lesley Britton
This book takes a dive into various strategies and activities you can use to incorporate Montessori into your child’s play. It explains the purpose of open-ended play, and describes how play is incorporated into the Montessori philosophy with young children.
You’ll find a variety of different activities to try with children from the ages of 2-6. From simple entertainment to introduction of various core topics, this books is packed with practical ideas.
The Montessori Toddler by Simone Davies
If you are planning to use Montessori at home, this book is a must-read. Simone Davies provides practical tips, activities, advice and pictures to help you implement Montessori methods in your home environment.
Her book is easy to read and straight to the point. She uses pictures of real-life Montessori set ups from homes around the world to help her tips come to life. This book is helpful for parents who are just getting started with Montessori, or those looking for more ideas to incorporate around the home.
Montessori from the Start by Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen
If you’re looking for a lighter read than one of Maria Montessori’s own books, this is a great place to start. Montessori from the Start provides practical, real life tips to help you incorporate Montessori at home.
This book takes you through all different ages and phases of children’s development, beginning right from birth. Maria Montessori’s findings are incorporated and explained – but in a way that is much more simplified and easier-to-digest than her own books.
Practical Guide to the Montessori Method at Home by Julia Palmarola
This book provides a helpful breakdown of activities to do with your children at every age. It explains the Montessori philosophy in simplistic terms, and then provides a plethora of examples of how you can begin incorporating Montessori at home today.
The ideas and activities given in this book are all simple and easy to implement. Most activities require very little, and can be completed on a budget without purchasing anything new.
Teach Me to Do It Myself: Montessori Activities for You and Your Child by Maja Pitamic
One important element of the Montessori method is teaching and providing opportunities for children to be independent. Independence plays a huge role in Montessori at home and in the classroom, but is often something that parents struggle with the most.
Teach Me to Do It Myself provides a plethora of ideas, tips and strategies for teaching children to do things themselves. From self-care to household chores, this book is packed with simple, easy to implement ideas and activities.
How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way by Tim Seldin
This book breaks down the Montessori approach into practical, applicable tips and ideas that you can use in your daily life. You’ll find plenty of simple activities to try with your child at any age.
If you’re hoping to learn how to incorporate Montessori at home without reading tons of books or deciphering dense content, this book is for you.
Montessori Family Life Books
Conscious Eating by Gabriel Cousens, M.D.
While this book is not specific to Montessori, its content is very applicable to the philosophy. Conscious Eating provides information about nutrition that is so often over-looked.
You’ll learn how to look at food as fuel rather than comfort, and discover how to pass on this mindset to your children. Plus, you’ll find a variety of recipes for both children and adults alike.
In Praise of Slowness by Carl Honore
This book is not tied to Montessori or even parenting, but is a great read for anyone hoping to really embrace the Montessori philosophy in a deep way. This book challenges the social norms of being busy, technology driven and constantly filling our time.
Montessori parents know how difficult it can be at times to follow this method in the 21st century. While Maria Montessori shared the importance of simplicity and taking things at our child’s pace, doing so today is significantly more challenging. This book will help emphasize the importance of slowing down and give you the motivation you need to take things slow and follow the child.
Toxic Childhood: How the Modern World is Damaging Our Children and What We Can Do About It by Sue Palmer
This book is a must-read for any parent, whether following the Montessori method or not. Written by a childhood expert, this book examines our current culture and how it has led to some of the most common disabilities, illnesses and emotional challenges in children and teens.
You’ll learn how some of society’s norms can be harmful or detrimental to our children, and what to do to help your kids remain healthy and happy instead.
The Creative Family of Amanda Soule
This is such an inspirational book for Montessori parents and teachers alike. Amanda Soule examines how creativity can help family life flourish and grow to meet its full potential. She explains how creativity can help us make connections with our children in many ways.
The Creative Family will give you the inspiration to really slow down, observe your children and meet them on their level – many of the main elements of the Montessori method.
Montessori Books for Parents and Teachers
How to Talk So Kids Can Learn by Adele Faber
If you’re hoping to get your child excited about learning, this book while provide practical ideas and tips to do so. How to Talk So Kids Can Learn provides insight into how you can direct conversations to inspire enthusiasm for learning.
You’ll find a variety of communication exercises as well as interactive activities to help get the ball rolling and begin the journey of a love for learning.
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Faber and Mazlich
Communication is a key element of any parent-child relationship, but especially in the Montessori method. Unfortunately, societal norms say it is okay to downplay a child’s feelings, or ignore them altogether for the sake of the adult’s needs.
This Montessori book provides practical, easy tactics to acknowledge children’s feelings while helping them work through their emotions in a healthy way. Faber and Mazlich teach how to maintain a healthy relationship with your children and avoid using punishments altogether.
Siblings Without Rivalry by Faber and Mazlich
This book is a must for any Montessori family with more than one child. Faber and Mazlich provide realistic, practical tips to foster a healthy, happy relationship between siblings.
Siblings Without Rivalry provides insight from experts to help you better understand the feelings of each sibling, encourage open communication and develop cooperation with each other. The strategies in this book can be applied to new siblings or those who are looking to turn around a relationship that has been developing for years.
Positive Discipline by Jane Nelsen ED.D
The Montessori method uses a positive discipline approach when it comes to managing outbursts and reactions. This book provides an introduction to the concept of positive discipline, and how it can be used in homes and schools.
Positive Discipline helps shift the mindset away from the traditional methods of bribery and punishment, and helps the reader understand why this different method can be so effective.
Montessori Books for Information
Montessori Madness! A Parent to Parent Argument for Montessori Education by Trevor Eissler
This book provides valuable insight into how the current education system could be improved to better benefit our children. Montessori Madness! provides a case for why we should look at educating our children differently.
You’ll find ideas and strategies to help view education in a different perspective. With tips that can be implemented in any family or educational setting, you’ll gain practical wisdom with this read.
Thriving! by Michael Grose
While not Montessori specific, this book is helpful for parents and teachers alike. This book teaches how we can become confident, effective leaders as adults to set our children up for success. It explains the downfalls of our current society and how to reverse the norm by creating a healthy family life.
With the right leadership, children will have the means to meet their full potential. Maria Montessori believed strongly in guiding the child and nurturing their own unique strengths and interest. This book helps adults better understand exactly what steps they can take to set their children up for this success.
Montessori Learning in the 21st Century: A Guide for Parents and Teachers by Shannon Helfrich
While most of Maria Montessori’s observations and insights are timeless, some things can still be adapted to better suit the 21st century.
This book takes a dive into how we can incorporate Montessori methods while raising children in the age of technology. It also provides research to help further emphasize the importance of persevering with the Montessori practices, even in this day and age.
Montessori: A Modern Approach by Paula Polk Lillard
If you’re hoping to find one book that explains it all, this is the closes you’ll get. Montessori: A Modern Approach breaks the philosophy down into practical, concise descriptions to help you understand the why and how behind a Montessori approach.
This book provides answers to the big questions (What is Montessori?), as well as small details you’ll need to navigate the way as your child grows.
Understanding the Human Being by Sylvana Montenaro
This is a must-read Montessori book for parents of young children or babies. The author goes into detail about why the first three years are so crucial in a child’s life. She provides examples for fostering intellectual, emotional and moral development, which grow so drastically during these first three years.
Whether you’re an expecting parent or are looking for a little guidance with your young child, this book specifically outlines different practices and strategies that are compatible with the Montessori method.
Creative Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World by Tony Wagner
While not exactly specific to Montessori, the principles and insights in this book can be applied and practiced in a Montessori setting. Creative Innovators dives into exactly how to raise and support children for them to become innovators.
This book takes a look at the lives of different innovators and explores how their creativity was supported and encouraged throughout childhood, along with what values their parents taught them early on.
These Montessori books are packed with information, ideas, activities and inspiration for parents and teachers alike. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or are looking for more ideas years down the road, you’ll find plenty of resources on this list.
Try reading all or some of these Montessori parenting books to further your understanding and help guide you through the different phases of your child’s life.
