Spontaneous Activity in Education

by Maria Montessori

Book by Montessori, Maria

Genres: Education, Parenting, Classics, Nonfiction

355 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1916

About the author

Maria Montessori was an Italian physician, educator, philosopher, humanitarian and devout Catholic; she is best known for her philosophy and the Montessori method of education of children from birth to adolescence. Her educational method is in use today in a number of public as well as private schools throughout the world.

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every educator should read this primary source. Such prophetic wisdom that illuminates pedagogical principles now taken for granted

[Clairette · Rating 3 out of 5]

My trusty kindle tells me I highlighted over 120 passages. There are many ideas to revisit, probably why Montessori wrote so many subsequent books (which are more widely read... not sure why I chose to read this particular one). I started off inclined to value most of Montessori's opinions and learn from her in her own words, because of what I have seen with my own rambunctious boys in their education by a true Montessorian.

This took forever to read - it's dense, and often philosophical, written in and for a different time. There are many beautiful inspiring passages about the innocence of children and role of religion in guiding us. But, there is praise for eugenics (cringe!), so Montessori can take a seat next to many people who helped shape our world who had great and also horribly misguided ideas.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goes into a lot of her reasoning and her history as to how she came up with her theories. (she digresses a lot) A lot of religion. Would shock those that feel her method is bad because of the inclusion of evolution.

All in all not for light reading. This is hardcore Montessori. Part are difficult to get thru because you want to know where she is going with something. She definitely doesn't write for the modern reader. She meanders.

[Angela Randall]

Available in public domain here: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/24727

[Solady Batterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enriching the environment is a vital part of the educational process.
A rich environment allows the child to " Thus makes progress in his own perfection".

[Mackenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but really really dry. There wasn't a whole lot of spontaneous reading with this one - hmm, maybe Montessori would say my brain didn't really need it then :-)

[Momma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definately dry reading, but worth it. Very good insight into how our children learn and how to present learning opportunities to them.

[Eliezer Sneiderman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Montessori has some insights. but she relays a lot of crazy material that hurts her case

[Zach]

Maria Montessori wrote from a heart that was filled with lightning. Montessori's genuinely erudite exploration of attention, will, and imagination makes this book a profound treasure. Her analysis of spontaneous activity is essential reading -- for parents and teachers. And Montessori's exploration of the dangers of passive "learning" is fundamental to understanding that a person cannot escape the abyss of despair & meaninglessness if the will is trained to be passive -- a receiver of information or knowledge rather than a creator.

A note on the edition: It was difficult for me to find a good edition of this book. All the editions I found were reprints with at least a handful of glaring errors -- e.g., no page numbers. Still the power, vitality, vision, strength, and beauty of Montessori's arguments come shining through.