Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius - Softcover

Lillard, Angeline Stoll

Softcover

ISBN 10: 019536936X ISBN 13: 9780195369366

Publisher: Oxford University Press, U.S.A., 2008

Synopsis

One hundred years ago, Maria Montessori, the first female physician in Italy, devised a very different method of educating children, based on her observations of how they naturally learn. In Montessori, Angeline Stoll Lillard shows that science has finally caught up with Maria Montessori. Lillard presents the research behind eight insights that are foundations of Montessori education, describing how each of these insights is applied in the Montessori classroom. In reading this book, parents and teachers alike will develop a clear understanding of what happens in a Montessori classroom and, more important, why it happens and why it works. Lillard, however, does much more than explain the scientific basis for Montessori's system: Amid the clamor for evidence-based education, she presents the studies that show how children learn best, makes clear why many traditional practices come up short, and describes an ingenious alternative that works. Now with a foreword by Renilde Montessori, the youngest grandchild of Maria Montessori, Montessori offers a wealth of insights for anyone interested in education.

About this title

Review:

"A stimulating evaluation of Montessori philosophy and practice, exploring some of the basic principles in relation to modern scientific research. . . . In particular, anyone wanting to take a detailed and critical look at Montessori education would surely benefit from reading this book."-- Montessori International

"Angeline Lillard may have changed the rules of engagement for debates on educational reform."-- Dennis Schapiro, Editor, The Public Montessorian

"Dr. Angeline Stoll Lillard has clearly summarized the research that explains why, after 100 years, the Montessori approach to education continues to be a phenomenal worldwide success."-- Tim Seldin, President, The Montessori Foundation, and Chair, The International Montessori Council

"Lillard provides a visionary framework for those currently working to advance Montessori education and those committed to furthering school reform initiatives. This is an illuminating, thoughtful, and extremely important book. "-- Richard A. Ungerer, Executive Director, American Montessori Society

"This is a great book. It is beautifully written, and expertly uses the psychological research literature to evaluate Montessori theory and practice. What an original and important contribution."-- Carol Dweck, Professor of Psychology, Stanford University and author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

"Lillard has masterfully explored the basic tenets of Montessori education and how they are validated with todays scientific findings. The result is a long-awaited and important contribution that contrasts with traditional education and offers evidence in support of a method that works. A stunning achievement!"--Virginia McHugh Goodwin, Executive Director, Association Montessori Internationale, USA

About the Author:

Angeline Stoll Lillard is Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. An authority on learning and development, she was awarded the Developmental Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association's Outstanding Dissertation Award in 1992 and its Boyd McCandless Award for Distinguished Early Career Contribution in 1999.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, U.S.A.
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 019536936X
• ISBN 13: 9780195369366
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 424