Montessori Learning in the 21st Century: A Guide for Parents and Teachers

by M. Shannon Helfrich, Andre Roberfroid (Foreword)

This book fills a growing demand for contemporary books on Montessori education and how it applies to childhood learning and education in the 21st Century. Dr. Maria Montessori developed her theories and methods for educating young people more than a hundred years ago. Today, much of Dr. Montessori's empirical findings on how the childhood brain develops and works has now been proven accurate by recent neurological/ psychological studies on childhood learning.

M. Shannon Helfrich shares many experiences from her nearly 40 years as a Montessori teacher and teacher's trainer to help parents and Montessori teachers understand the factors that influence understanding and learning for children throughout their years of development. In a lay person's terms, the author explains how the brain develops and why interaction with the environment is essential at specific points in a child's development. She includes diagrams and photographs throughout the book.

The author also links Montessori's findings with the latest neuropsychological research, weaving back and forth between the centuries, making a strong case for the ongoing viability of a Montessori education in this brave new world. Helfrich offers many anecdotes from classroom experiences with children that support these findings.

In the beginning of her book, Helfrich asserts that Dr. Montessori was one of the great thinkers in the 20th century who changed the understanding of a child’s nature regardless of race, class or culture, and ultimately, an evolved understanding of our humanness. This book confirms Dr. Montessori's pivotal role in the history of childhood education internationally.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Reference, Education

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Shannon Helfrich is an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) teacher trainer, examiner, and consultant, training Montessori teachers in the United States, Australia, Thailand and China. She is known throughout the Montessori community as a practical, down-to-earth consultant for teachers in the classroom and for administrators of Montessori schools. Shannon currently divides her time between the International Training Center of Montessori Education of China in Hangzhou, China, and the United States. She lives in Tucson, Arizona.

Shannon has been an AMI Montessori teacher since 1972. She worked in Montessori Children's House classrooms in Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She then founded two Montessori schools, one in Bismarck, North Dakota and the other in Gresham, Oregon.

After almost ten years teaching children, Shannon discovered that her true passion was educating teachers. In 1989, Shannon completed the AMI Training of Trainers program and was appointed the Director of Training at the Montessori Education Center of Oregon, which soon became the Montessori Institute Northwest in Portland. In the ensuing twenty-two years, Shannon has also directed courses at the Australia Montessori Teacher Education Foundation, helped found a training center in western Bangkok, Thailand and in Hangzhou, China, where she has been training Montessori teachers since 2007. It is fair to say that Montessori education is Shannon's life passion, and Dr. Maria Montessori has been an inspiration and role model for Shannon in her work with childhood development and education.

Reviews

[MusicalSilver · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent general introduction to the Montessori method, focusing mostly on the 3-6 year old range. I expected this book to discuss how Montessori is still current and relevant in today's society, but this book is really discussing how current science backs up the foundational observations of Maria Montessori. I enjoyed the focus on primary age materials as my children are working with these materials now, but I would have appreciated extending the analysis through later years.

[Kira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of the beginning of the book is a rehash of the basics of Maria Montessori's philosophy. I had hoped it would have more practical suggestions for modern additions to the classical model but it was more focused on telling how the philosophy is supported by modern research. Overall an interesting read, especially in the later chapters discussing how Montessori looks to parents and teachers.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easily understandable for parents and teachers. I recommend this for anyone who is with children.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introduction to the theory of Montessori education. Helfrich outlines some of the child development research. She also touches on the history of Itard and Seguin and Montessori's evolution of materials for the classroom. This book has descriptions of some of the activities in the primary classroom (3-6 years). Nothing new for the parent of a student in a Montessori school. One appalling gaff (IMHO) is to suggest that parents bring their child to the library at 3 yrs for first visit. Uh, how about all the language support that storytime and being around books and other people can provide from birth? (But perhaps I make a mountain our of a one sentence molehill).

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book annoyed me in two ways: poor proof reading and it doesn't seem to have any particular relevance to the 21st century like the title says. However, I was very interested in learning about the Montessori education system. I'd love for Maddy to go to one, but don't want to send her for full days.

Oh, and it bugged me that she said that just chewing on a toothbrush is good enough oral hygiene for a toddler. It isn't.

[Ann Velasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great overview of Montessori, easy to read. I especially liked her links to current brain research. I recommend this book to Montessori teachers and parents.

[Tory · Rating 2 out of 5]

A gripping tale, this is not. However, it does provide a good introduction to Dr. Maria Montessori and her research. I pulled a few tidbits of information that were helpful.

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be clear, this is a defense of old practices being used in the modern day. It is not related to 21st Century digital skills.

[Stephanie]

Only skimmed the book as wasn't what I was wanting. I was looking for a book that gave more of a breakdown of what work is given at what ages/stages in Montessori education and the why it is given.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great introduction for parents and educators interested in learning more about the Montessori philosophy and how it works with a child's development. It is a comfortable read, meaning that it is accessible. Helfrich is obviously passionate and knowledgeable about Montessori education and child development.