Montessori from the Start [Paperback]

I also strongly object to some of the authors' suggestions in the chapter entitled "Personal Care". They recommend intensive toilet training beginning at 12-15 months, and weaning from breastfeeding at 9 months, arguing that this will foster the child's feelings of independence. Both of these suggestions are contrary to the latest advice given by childcare experts. Few children show any signs of being ready for toilet training at such a young age -- most are still learning to walk, or have recently learned to do so, and for the parent to begin intensive toilet training at this time interferes with the child's natural instincts to be on the move. Furthermore it is much easier and faster to toilet train when the child is actually ready to do so, which in the vast majority of cases is not before the age of two.

The authors' advice to wean from the breast at 9 months is contrary to that of the American Association of Pediatrics, which recommends that breastmilk be the primary source of nutrition for all of the first year. This advice can also be dangerous. On the advice of a (misguided) health professional, I limited my own child's breastfeeds when he was 9 months old to 3 times per day for a period of several weeks, which resulted in a rapid and frightening weight loss, and frequent night wakings due to hunger. The authors actually state that if your child is showing no signs of being ready for weaning, you should go ahead and wean him anyway, because you know best! This is completely contrary to the Montessori principles of respecting the child's natural intelligence.

Furthermore, I think there is too much emphasis in the book on the child learning to do things at an early age. They state that if you follow their principles, the child should be crawling by six months, walking by 10 or 11 months, talking by 14 months -- this seems to imply that Montessori education results in children who are superior simply because they can do things at an earlier age than other children.

There were only a few good suggestions for activities for toddlers, which do not merit buying the book. I am still looking for a better book which will enable me to put Montessori principles into practice in my home.

The Montessori method begins with acknowledging a child as a developing but incomplete individual. Being developing but incomplete, she needs help in facilitation rather than education in the conventional sense, which tends to be pre-packaged and indoctrinating. Being an individual, she is on a journey to adulthood that is her own, with an inner self to emerge and a will to grow. Her goal is a reflective person who knows her way and summons her will to walk in it. There is a properly spiritual dimension that appeals immediately to me. According to the authors who founded their own Montessori school over twenty years ago, "Montessori children" are known for their calmness and inner strength.

While the method normally applies to school-aged children, this book claims to be the first attempt to extend it to babies below three in the home context. I think the authors have succeeded in piecing together a coherent and convincing picture, from years of experience in the field, as well as their own families. (The second author is in fact daughter of the first who raised her in the Montessori manner.) The theory is well formulated and clearly presented, with detailed advice on practical matters such as helping babies to sleep, food, clothings, toilet, etc. that are derived from it. It therefore reads coherent and whole, unlike many other baby care books that tend to appear piecemeal and ad hoc.

This book is especially challenging to parents in modern societies, who tend to distract their children from their individual missions with many toys and activities. It may not be far-fetched to speculate that it has helped cause the increasing problem of attention deficiency among children today. Whether it is or not, the Montessori method for babies and up should be its direct prevention.