Children on the Hill

by Michael Deakin

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Felicity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow steady nurturing with lots of loving participation is the approach Maria applied to the education of her children. For the book's publication all their names have been changed. Maria, having taken a course in Montessori teaching, decided to bring her children up in a controlled environment she called The Process, where she had total control of their development until they were able to function in the outside world. To this end she devoted herself completely to their educational requirements, doing all her household chores at night so she was absolutely free of outside distractions during the day. Their days were not structured, the learning processs ebbed and flowed from whatever subject or idea caught the children's attention. Christian the eldest, by the age of 12 was a mathematical whiz, having passed all levels of elementary exams to O levels and but for his young age could have attended university. Adam was playing Mozart at the age of 5, hardly able to spread his fingers across the keys of a secondhand piano his parents purchased at, for them, considerable cost. The two young siblings, Ruth and Paul, quite young at the time of writing, were already showing signs of musical and mathematical prowess. This is not a way of life for everyone, not sure I could commit to the long hours of dedication that Maria lovingly sacrificed for the first 15 years of their childhood. I just wish I could find out where and what these children are doing now and what happened to Maria and her husband Martin.....whoever they were!

[Starr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very strange story of a very strange family living in the U.K in the early 70s. Using Montessori methods as well as isolation, "Maria" brings up her children as little geniuses. Gotta say I didn't learn much about anything I'd like to do in practice except make sure my house is welcoming to varying interests. Otherwise, I'm not about to give up everything for the sake of the kids. Maybe it's because mine are just bright and not profoundly gifted. Whatever the case, I wasn't inspired, just amused by the children's quirks and the mother's unrelenting quest to help her children reach the highest potential (in the case of one child, an almost mute musical prodigy).

[Linlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is the first non-fiction book for me to have read in a very long time.
in ernest, to get into ‘the children on the hill’ was a challenge for me. the chapters on maria and martin’s upbringing and their background quickly “bored” me so to say and didnt honestly provide much for the rest of the book and its importance to ‘the process’.

now, regarding ‘the process’: i think in its very basics of not applying pressure or external stress on children, a very non-violent approach, to be readily available to their needs and desires, and to treat them with respect is something i very much agree with and have tried to apply to my own siblings. if anything this book served to reinforce my previous beliefs and given me a more positive thinking process towards children themselves. in many cases when they are misbehaving they are simply misunderstood.

a very very interesting approach, albeit a bit extreme.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read this recently having first read it as a child. It is interesting how many of Martin and Maria's ideas about education and early childhood have now been adopted into mainstream schooling and parenting. First time round I was in awe of the academic achievement of the children, reading it for a second time I think the emphasis of the parents on character is really admirable; the author remarks repeatedly on all the children's gentleness, patience and good humour

[YarnAndYearn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you do some detective work you can discover the children’s identities. I’d love a follow up book. I want to hear from the children how their upbringing influenced their lives. And I want to know more about the parents. I’ve read this book more than once and find it fascinating. I really want to know if the ‘children’ are happy and if they feel their upbringing had a strong influence - nature or nurture? And I’d love to see the documentary…

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was in high school, and it's probably had more influence on me than any other book, fiction or non. Of course, since then I've tried to find out what happened to the children in this book, and I'm pretty sure I know now who they are - but I won't tell anyone. ;D

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting but slow.

[lucy black · Rating 2 out of 5]

really dated little book about education and giftedness. Made me want to see the doco they made.