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

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,313 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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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 ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.2 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,313 ratings

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Maria Montessori
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4.6 out of 5 stars
1,313 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's content educational and helpful for understanding Montessori pedagogy. They say it helps adults understand young children's mindset and thought process. The book is described as a good start for further reading on early childhood education.

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57 customers mention "Book content"57 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's content educational and relevant. They say it provides a good introduction to Montessori philosophy and methods, explaining the mindset and heart of the pedagogy. The book is described as a great resource and a good start for further reading.

"...you realize why the heavens invented birth control, but the book is great stuff." Read more

"...This is an excerpt to show the kind of thinking in the book. Highly interesting! Deep! "..." Read more

"...If you can get along with these, you will find an amazing read that you will not be able to process all at once...." Read more

"This is Montessori's last book, and the most in-depth discussion of her theory based on decades of scientific observation of children...." Read more

33 customers mention "Education"33 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for understanding young children's minds and mindsets. They appreciate Maria Montessori's passion and insights into early childhood education. The book helps readers understand the natural development and needs of children. Readers also find the concepts and ideas thought-provoking.

"...learns critically important skills such as the mastery of language without direct adult instruction, that within the child is a mechanism that self-..." Read more

"...wow! this author is brilliant and her ideas well conceived. This is inspirational and will reset your mind with regard to how you see children...." Read more

"...It discusses the special mind of the child, and how nurturing the special potentialities that only children have is the only way to change..." Read more

"...with some back ground in education, I have found the concepts and ideas thought provoking...." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2025
    Maria Montessori was a leader in the field, and her schools have become a fave in America. A friend of mine was curious about what's a good alternative for his kid's education, so I bought him this book. Granted, a lot of the kids in these schools now are among the privileged few whose parents can afford private education, and some of the kids these schools graduate make you realize why the heavens invented birth control, but the book is great stuff.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2019
    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.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2016
    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."
    18 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2014
    Minus 1 star for poor editing.
    wow! this author is brilliant and her ideas well conceived. This is inspirational and will reset your mind with regard to how you see children.
    The actual book is poorly edited so there are many grammar and spelling errors. If you can get along with these, you will find an amazing read that you will not be able to process all at once. Give yourself plenty of time to get through this book, and stop and absorb the ideas along the way.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2003
    This is Montessori's last book, and the most in-depth discussion of her theory based on decades of scientific observation of children. It discusses the special mind of the child, and how nurturing the special potentialities that only children have is the only way to change (and save) humanity. Montessori's theories are particularly interesting today in light of recent neurological discoveries, especially those related to critical periods and language.
    This is a very dense book, and requires a good deal of concentration and time to read. I would recommmend The Child in the Family as the first book for one wanting an overview of Montessori ideas.
    105 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2014
    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.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2013
    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.
    15 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • SeekingGood
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book!
    Reviewed in Canada on November 3, 2024
    Very good book!
  • Rohith
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent buy. Great piece of work by Ms. Montessori.
    Reviewed in India on April 5, 2024
    Good book, decent condition for a used book.
  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Blowing mind
    Reviewed in Brazil on December 18, 2019
    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
  • Let's Re-View
    5.0 out of 5 stars Life changingly good
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 29, 2019
    What a wonderful read. Everyone rearing a child should read it... Many Montessori places seem not to be run by Montessori's own principles. This is worth reading so you know what they are..

    Between the continuum concept and this, (oh and how to talk so little kids will listen) hopefully my daughter has some hope! ; )

    But seriously, without Montessori to back me up, most people think i'm mad that i don't want little one doing sny 'fantasy' till at least age 6 etc. Montessori explains why that is, after all, a good idea.

    Practical life skills all the way.

    I like that she backs up the 'no praise not reward' system with children.

    ...
  • Santiago
    5.0 out of 5 stars La verdadera obra prima
    Reviewed in Spain on November 24, 2018
    La verdadera obra prima de Maria Montessori