Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius

If you are interested in understanding the scientific basis for the success of the Montessori approach, this is the book to read. Because there have been few studies that have compared traditional and Montessori outcomes head-to-head, Lillard does the next best thing: synthesize decades of pyschological and sociological research that validates Montessori theory and practice. She clearly demonstrates that the teaching method Maria Montessori established through empirical observation and trial and error in her own classrooms has been well-confirmed in its efficaciousness by subsequent studies in human cognitive development. This is a superbly written book, and Lillard is very good at presenting often highly intricate research in an accessble meanner. Although she is obviously a supporter (and product) of Montessori education, she does not wear her bias on her sleeve. She does not leave out research that either does not support or cannot yet be shown to support the Montessori method. If you already send your child to a Montessori school, you will find your good decision supported by her research; if you are thinking about Montessori, you will be convinced after reading this book that your choice is easy.

I believe your book is an indispensable resource for Montessori teachers and for any non-Montessori teachers and/or administrators who want to know how and why Montessori works so well with children. For Montessori teachers, it provides the validation of principles that are sometimes abandoned in Montessori classrooms to appease parents, administrators, or the teacher's own insecurities. For non-Montessori educators, it offers a rationale for what we do in terms that they can understand and a wealth of non-Montessori research to back up our classroom practice. It's quite a convincing book for both audiences! -Michael Duffy, co-author of "Children ol the Universe: Cosmic Education in the Montessori Classroom" (Parent Child Press)

Since Montessori is the fastest growing method of education today, young people going into the field of education want to learn about Montessori in their university classes. Until now there has never been a book well suited to this purpose; professors will relate to the perspective of another professor, especially one who is knowledgeable in all kinds of education of children. Students will come to understand more about how we educate children in traditional education, and why Montessori is so sought after as an alternative, in both private and public school settings. Angeline Lillard, the author of "Montessori, the Science behind the Genius" is a parent, and her book is invaluable for anyone thinking of having children, or getting ready to send a child to preschool or school. It will help parents differentiate between true Montessori schools and those that use the name "Montessori" without knowing what they are doing, which is quite common since there is no copyright on use of the name. I cannot speak highly enough of this book and I have been in the Montessori field in one way or another since 1968 when my first child entered her first Montessori class.

You can read other Montessori books and be inspired, but if you read Lillard's Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius, you will be persuaded by the sheer weight of the evidence in support of the eight foundational principles of Montessori Education. The Montessori community will love this book but I think that anyone who is interested in understanding what is wrong with traditional education should read this book. It is a scholarly work that any parent can understand. I absolutely loved the book and highly recommend it.

Lillard's thorough and readable treatment of Montessori brings together 100 years of practical wisdom with the most recent psychological research findings. It is not easy to find clear, accurate descriptions of Montessori teaching and learning; and even harder to find accessible explanations for the complex theory that underlies Montessori practice. This book does both. For those of us who have always wondered what was going on at the Montessori school in our neighborhood, Lillard's lucid prose provides a window into the classroom. And for those parents as well as as educators who wonder whether the method really "works," Lillard not only explains how, but produces evidence for why.