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Maria Montessori
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The Absorbent Mind: A Classic in Education and Child Development for Educators and Parents Paperback – October 15, 1995

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,256 ratings
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In response to the crisis in American education, more than five thousand public and private schools across the nation have adopted the timeless Montessori Method of teaching, of which this book is the cornerstone. Written by the women whose name is synonymous worldwide with child development theory, The Absorbent Mind takes its title from the phrase that the inspired Italian doctor coined to characterize the child's most crucial developmental stage: the first six years.

A new foreword by John Chattin-McNichols, Ph.D., President of the American Montessori Society, places this classic book in a contemporary context, offering an intelligent discussion of current thinking in child education.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Holt Paperbacks
  4. Publication date
    October 15, 1995
  5. Dimensions
    5.45 x 0.85 x 8.2 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0805041567
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0805041569
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“This book deserves careful reading, for the author's views are as relevant (and revolutionary) now as when they were first proposed.” ―New York Times Book Review

“Startling insights...she is an inspiring teacher . . . educators of all persuasions will find her book alive with ideas.” ―Library Journal

About the Author

Maria Montessori, born in Italy in 1870, dedicated her life to learning how best to educate children-particularly the poorest, most challenged children-during their vulnerable beginnings. Today her legacy is evident worldwide. She died in the Netherlands in 1952.

John Chattin-McNichols, Ph.D., is the President of the American Montessori Society and Professor of Education at Seattle University. He is the author and editor of several books on Montessori education.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Holt Paperbacks; Reprint edition (October 15, 1995)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0805041567
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0805041569
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.45 x 0.85 x 8.2 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,256 ratings

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Maria Montessori

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
1,256 global ratings
The deliver was super fast. I like it
3 Stars
The deliver was super fast. I like it
The deliver was super fast. I like it. But when I opened the book,I was quite confused. The print quality is not good. Seems like the printer was out of ink. I can barely read. Anyway, I will give it a try.
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Top reviews from the United States

Carolyn Wilhelm
5.0 out of 5 stars Deep and Important --recommend to all teachers, lawmakers, and parents!
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2016
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This reads sort of like Einstein's Dreams as Montessori puzzles out why things are as they are and why we haven't notice the child is born to learn if we allow it to happen by providing the right environment and materials and teaching methods. This is an excerpt to show the kind of thinking in the book. Highly interesting! Deep! "Supposing we put a little levity into this weighty subject and tell a little story. A certain young man wished to marry and recounted all the praises of the lady of his choice. An elder guide responded in writing and this is what happened: The young man praises her beauty; the guide writes a zero. The young man finding beauty is not enough, states that she is rich; the guide writes zero. The young man says, she is learned, but the guide again writes zero. The young man says: “All this means nothing, well, she is athletic, she rides, swims, plays tennis.” Again the guide writes zero. The young man goes on describing all sorts of qualities which his lady-love possesses and the guide continues to write zero against them. Then the young man says: “She is of good character,” and the guide says: “That is something,” and writes a figure one in front of all the zeros. All the other merits acquire their value from this one quality and with that one in front of all the zeros her total value increases a thousandfold. So it is with civilization, all the achievements are naught and lead to destruction, but if love is there they all acquire a great value."
12 people found this helpful
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bam
5.0 out of 5 stars Foundational for understanding Montessori education
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2019
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This book lays the foundation for Dr. Montessori's approach to educating the young child. She argues that the very capable infant absorbs its environment in a very natural process that results in the stupendous achievements of locomotion, language and acculturation into whatever social mileiu the child has been born into with no direct teaching required. The child's inner drive for mastery and independence propels its efforts to achievement. The adult's role is to expose the child to a wide variety l of experiences in the infant's first few years so that he or she can interact with his or her environment. Dr. Montessori's point is that the child learns critically important skills such as the mastery of language without direct adult instruction, that within the child is a mechanism that self-directs astonishing achievement through.contact with the environment. These observations laid the foundation for developing a system of education that harnesses the young child's inner drives to mastery and independence through interaction with a carefully prepared environment.
6 people found this helpful
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ML
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2013
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This book provides an excellent explanation of Maria Montessori's observations and resulting philosophy. While the translation is, at times, a bit awkward, is does not disrupt the reading. It seems to be translated word for word, with little interference or interpretation from the translator and editor. I have studied and implemented the Montessori philosophy for years, both in my classroom and with my own children. This book explains very clearly, with no frills, the natural development and needs of children, and what we must do as educators and parents to provide the best environment for success. There are a few typos, but not enough to remove a star in the rating.
One person found this helpful
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Sara L Langsam
4.0 out of 5 stars My review of the Absorbent Mind
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2013
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I have not yet read The Absorbent Mind but gave it a four because I know that it will prove as fascinating and informative as her other books. Also I am familiar with the idea of the absorbent mind which Maria Montessori discusses in her other books and which has been discussed in the books about her and her theories on education. The absorbent mind is a fascinating concept which briefly states that from the ages of birth to six years old the child learns from absorbing all the elements of its environment.
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John Bowman
5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2013
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I first read this book at age 17 just because it seemed like a different take on childhood. Reading it led me to read more of Montessori's books, and then to become a Montessori teacher, center director, and, much later in life, to author an eBook on doing Montessori at home. Maria Montessori was an inspiring genius who changed everything about how we view young children. I truly believe that the world has not fully caught up with her, and probably won't for another hundred years or so. You think one person can't make a difference? Montessori offered a totally new take on human development and how to support it in an optimal way. This book is one you must read to fully understand her vision. Every parent and teacher needs to read it, IMO.
9 people found this helpful
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s sunny
5.0 out of 5 stars interesting, thought provoking to parents and teachers a like
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2014
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This book was written a long time ago and some things are out dated but how the child's mind works and their needs are very much the same today. As a mother with some back ground in education, I have found the concepts and ideas thought provoking. My 20month old loves to work by helping me as much as she can, this is a great sense of accomplishment and self esteem for her which helps me to know how to teach her in ways such as, work ethic.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who is a child's care giver or thinking of placing the child in a Montessori school. I also found wonderful learning toys for my baby and toddelor.
2 people found this helpful
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The Big L
5.0 out of 5 stars Absorbent Book
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2011
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This is an amazing book, that will absorb your interest from cover to cover. It deals with what most of us usually consider to be the most important part of our society, the education of children, and it shows us how many of our social preconceptions are just off the mark when it comes to children. While there are some clear holes in some of her premises (mainly those related to evolutionary theory, see Richard Dawkins The Selfish Gene) in general her conclusions are right on target when it comes to understanding the best way in which us, adults, can help the children develop properly by just simply letting them be free and independent, which is in their natural drive.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Rohith
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent buy. Great piece of work by Ms. Montessori.
Reviewed in India on April 5, 2024
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Good book, decent condition for a used book.
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Zen
5.0 out of 5 stars 10 stars . So much knowledge and information truly a transformation in the education sector
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 8, 2021
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The audio-book was amazing first one I've listened to . Learnt so much and love listening to it when I'm drive
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Magician mickey
5.0 out of 5 stars great service
Reviewed in Canada on May 6, 2020
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great book
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Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Blowing mind
Reviewed in Brazil on December 18, 2019
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This book gave me a new concept of child, discipline and many other important concepts about childhood.
This book should be required those who wants to became parents and teachers
One person found this helpful
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Luis Miguel Rodriguez
5.0 out of 5 stars REcomendación de un amigo....
Reviewed in Mexico on September 9, 2019
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Excelente libro para nosotros papas nuevos...
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