Maria Montessori's work and thinking form a unique legacy to current educational thinking and practice. In this text, Marion O'Donnell explores the key themes of her philosophy of education and explores the relevance of Montessori practices today. In a thorough survey and synthesis of Montessori's thinking and work, this text examines the key aspects of Montessori education: child development; the learning environment; the role of the teacher; the role of the learner and parental involvement. Within each key aspect, the author considers the implications for Montessori education and the views of critics and supporters, demonstrating their relevance to the demands of an education system within today's modern society.

Marion O'Donnell is a Montessori World Educational Institute (Australia) Workshop Lecturer, Examiner and Tutor. She has worked as a teacher all over the world, including in the UK, Canada and Australia. She has also lectured at the Queensland University of Technology, Australia, and been a researcher at the University of Queensland, Australia.

Series Editor's Preface
Foreword

Part I: Intellectual Biography
1. Montessori and the Origins of Montessori Education
2. The Case dei Bambini (or Children's Houses)
3. Special Features of Montessori Education
4. The 'Explosion' into Writing and Reading
5. Montessori's System of Teacher Training

Part II: Critical Exposition of Montessori's Work
6. Infancy, the Absorbent Mind, and Sensitive Periods
7. Early Childhood, Childhood, Adolescence/Youth
8. The Montessori Learning Environment adn Didactic Materials
9. The Three-period Lesson
10. The Active Learner and Normalization
11. Beginning Writing, Composing, Reading, Mathematics
12. Fantasy, Imagination, and Creativity
13. Abstract Thought and Curriculum
14. The Directress
15. Multi-age Grouping

Part III: The Reception and Influence of Montessori's Work
16. Europe
17. United States of America
18. The British Isles
19. India
20. Australia
21. New Zealand
22. The Second Phase in Australasia

Part IV: The Relevance of Montessori Education Today
23. The Place of Freedom
24. Observation of Free Children
25. Child Development
26. The Environment
27. Multiple Literacies
28. Beginning Writing
29. Beginning Reading
30. Should Children be Normalized?
31. Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum
32. The Directress
33. Conclusion

Bibliography
Definitions of Some Montessori Terms
Index