BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BEGINNING MONTESSORIANS
I’ve always been a big reader, but I didn’t realize how much I’ve read on child development, positive discipline, and how to use Montessori philosophy at home until I started making this list! This list is only books I’ve read for my own benefit (and not for work/research purposes). I’ve put an asterisk * by the books I most recommend, but they are listed by category and in alphabetical order by author for ease of use. Affiliate links are provided for Amazon, but there is no pressure to use them. Many of these will be available at your local bookstores or libraries as well.
Books on Child Development
Your One-Year Old: The Fun-Loving, Fussy 12-to-24 Month Old by Louise Bates Ames*
Your Two-Year Old: Terrible or Tender by Louise Bates Ames*
Your Three-Year Old: Friend our Enemy by Louise Bates Ames*
(her books go up to age 14- and I recommend them all!)
Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five by John Medina*
Understanding the Human Being: The Importance of the First Three Years of Life (The Clio Montessori Series) by Silvana Quattrocchi Montanaro* **
The Wonder Weeks: How to Stimulate Your Baby’s Mental Development and Help Him Turn his 10 Predictable, Great, Fussy Phases into Magical Leaps Forward by Frans Z. Plooij and Hetty van de Rijt
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel
(** not available on Amazon, other link provided)
Books on Discipline
The Montessori Toddler: A Parent’s Guide to Raising a Curious and Responsible Human Being by Simone Davies*
How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Live with Children Ages 2-7 by Joanna Faber, Julie King*
Toddler Discipline for Every Age and Stage: Effective Strategies to Tame Tantrums, Overcome Challenges, and Help Your Child Grow by Aubrey Hargis*
Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason by Alfie Kohn
No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame by Janet Lansbury*
Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting by Dr. Laura Markham
No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel
Books on Siblings
Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too by Adele Faber*
Books on Practicing Montessori at Home
Montessori Inspired Activities for Pre-Schoolers: Home Projects for 2-6 Year Olds by Jo Ebisujima*
Montessori From the Start: The Child at Home, from Birth to Age Three by Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen (I DO NOT recommend the chapters on breastfeeding/eating and sleeping as they are outdated and are not to AAP and WHO recommendations)
How To Raise An Amazing Child the Montessori Way by Tim Seldin*
The Joyful Child: Montessori, Global Wisdom for Birth to Three by Susan Mayclin Stephenson
Books on Potty Training
Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do it Once and Do it Right by Jamie Glowacki*
Books on Montessori Philosophy
The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori*
The Secret of Childhood by Maria Montessori*