New Wolf Book Focuses on Preschoolers

Montessori Insights for Parents of Young Children by Aline D. Wolf

Parent Child Press

P.O. Box 675

Hollidaysburg, PA 16648

Toll Free: 1 (866) 727-3683

email: info@parentchildpress.com

60 pages, paperback

Aline Wolf first took up the task of explaining Montessori theory and practice to parents back in the1960s. Her first book, A Parents' Guide to the Montessori Classroom, may be one of the best selling books on Montessori, with more than 400,000 copies sold. It has been translated into Spanish, Swedish and Chinese.

Her newest book, Montessori Insights for Parents of Young Children, may meet with similar popular appeal. This book is published by the company Wolf founded, Parent-Child Press, and is written in a similarly concise and clear manner.

Wolf is well know among Montessorians for the many books she has written and published for children and adults and also for the posters and curriculum materials she has developed. She is perhaps almost as widely known for her art appreciation program, or for her work on spirituality, as she is for her Parents' Guide.

This is a natural companion for those schools or parents who have used A Parents' Guide. For those parents, or schools, who have never used Wolf's books, Montessori Insights for Parents of Young Children offers an excellent introduction to Montessori philosophy and practice for the parent with children under the age of seven.

In the introduction Wolf spells out the book's mission:

"My purpose here is to offer what I consider to be the best of Maria Montessori's insights to today's parents and to suggest how these principles can be applied in a world that is significantly different from the world in which she developed them."

Montessori's Voice

One of the more innovative things Wolf has done in this book is to blend quotations from Montessori into the narrative. This allows the reader access to Montessori's unique and sometimes powerful vision without some of the complex, outdated or highly metaphorical language sometimes found in translations of Montessori's books. This might be particularly important to the reader who wants to be reassured that this modern application is founded in the original philosophy. Further assurance is provided in the End Notes, where every quote is clearly referenced.

Consistency

Wolf's first book was written to help parents understand the Montessori classroom. This is intended to help them apply Montessori principles at home.

Wolf provides an overview of human development and then follows the growth of the child from his or her first days through the entire "first plane," up to age six. The importance of language, movement, independence, order, concentration and hands-on learning are all stressed with practical ideas about how to support the child's work in these areas at home.

Wolf also provides ideas for practical life activities to do at home, creative play and choosing toys for a young child. There are sections on reading aloud, controlling television viewing, and discipline. A handy table of "dos and don'ts" for discipline is one of several helpful lists.

Wolf is encouraging, understanding and supportive to parents throughout the book. She uses anecdotes from her own experience as a parent and readily admits that implementing her ideas may be daunting:

"Using Montessori principles at home in the 21st century can seem like swimming against giant waves of fast food, tight schedules, incessant TV, electronic toys and organized sports for children as young as four."

She encourages parents to "plan their resistance" early, but implores them not to "regret that they did not use Montessori insights from their children's earliest days. The key to adopting any different approach is to start where you are!"

Love and Spirituality

Two of the most striking sections come at the end of the book.

One, on love, calls on parents to offer unconditional love to their children and to show it in the most direct ways possible - eye contact, physical contact and focused attention. "This means giving 'time alone' priority in our schedule that may already be totally crammed," Wolf writes.

Wolf has given great thought to nurturing the spiritual side of children. While Montessori frequently referred to "spirituality" in her writings, it has often been in confusing, undefined terms. Wolf offers a clear, nonsectarian definition and set of practical suggestions for how to honor the spiritual side of children.

Borrowing from the analysis of her book Nurturing the Spirit in Non-Sectarian Classrooms, she offers simple suggestions and insights for creating special moments and memories for parents and children.

This is a modest, accessible book, packed with practical ideas and simple wisdom.

Cam Gordon is author of Together With Montessori and associate editor of Public School Montessorian.