Montessori Children's Academy of Prescott Family Resources

📘 Montessori Books for Toddlers (0–3)

📗 Foundational & Philosophy
The Absorbent Mind — Maria Montessori
A classic explanation of how young children naturally learn from their environment; essential for understanding development from birth to age 6.
Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius — Angeline Stoll Lillard
Bridges Montessori philosophy with modern research, with clear developmental insight relevant to toddler behavior and setup.

📗 Practical Guides (Montessori at Home)
How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way — Tim Seldin & Paul Epstein
A friendly, step-by-step guide for parents to adapt Montessori principles at home, including practical toddler ideas.
The Montessori Toddler — Simone Davies
Focuses specifically on ages 1–3; offers daily routines, environment setup, and real-world scenarios with clear photos.
Montessori from the Start — Paula Polk Lillard & Lynn Lillard Jessen
Covers birth through age 3; emphasizes respectful caregiving and environment that supports independence.

📗 Activity & Environment
Montessori Play & Learn: Busy Toddler — Lesley Britton
A rich resource of hands-on activity ideas matched to developmental milestones of toddlers.
The Joyful Child: Montessori, Global Wisdom for Birth to Three — Susan Mayclin Stephenson
Practical activities and cultural insights; great for creating a calm, engaging home space.

📘 Montessori Books for Primary (Ages 3–6+)
📗 Foundational & Philosophy
The Montessori Method — Maria Montessori
The original work outlining Montessori’s educational approach; best for deep philosophy, not daily activities.
Montessori and Early Childhood: A Guide for Students — Elizabeth G. Hainstock
A clear survey of Montessori principles, materials, and reasoning for the 3–6 classroom.

📗 Practical Classroom & Home Guides
Teaching Montessori in the Home: The Preschool Years — Elizabeth G. Hainstock
Practical curriculum and activity ideas aligned to Montessori progressions.
Work: How to Find Joy and Meaning in Each Hour of the Day — Cal Newport (not Montessori but supportive)
For adults supporting older primary children’s work habits and deep focus (useful for parenting beyond Montessori basics).
Montessori: A Modern Approach — Paula Polk Lillard
A reader-friendly overview with focus on ages 3–12; excellent introduction with context and examples.

📗 Specific Skill Areas
The Montessori Math Mind — Loren McBride
Makes Montessori math tangible and linked to concrete materials (counting, place value, etc.).
Sensorial Activities for Montessori Classrooms — David Gettman & James Gettman
Excellent catalog of sensorial work that builds foundational cognitive skills.
Practical Life Activities for School and Home — David K. J. Meier et al.
Detailed activities that support independence, coordination, and everyday skills.

🧠 Bonus Picks (Across Ages)
Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs — Ellen Galinsky
Not Montessori-specific but complements its goals (focus, self-control, communication).
The Whole-Brained Child — Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
Offers developmentally grounded explanations of behavior and strategies that align well with Montessori respect and autonomy.

📌 How to Use These Books Effectively
For Toddlers:
Focus first on environment setup (safe, accessible spaces, routines).
Move into activity books that demonstrate simple daily tasks and play.

For Primary (3–6+):
Pair philosophy books with materials/activity guides to understand both why Montessori works and how to implement it.
Practical guides help bridge home and classroom consistency.

📚 Suggested Reading Order (for Parents)
The Montessori Toddler (Davies) — toddler-specific, actionable
Montessori from the Start — broader 0–3 philosophy
How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way — parent roadmap
Montessori and Early Childhood — deeper theory for 3–6
Teaching Montessori in the Home: The Preschool Years — curriculum suggestions