A Practical Guide to Montessori Materials and What they do for the Child



Writing this book, as well as connecting with fellow homeschoolers through Making Montessori Ours and our social media sites has been such a pleasure and labour of love. Many of you have written to us throughout the years asking questions that we too searched for in the beginning of our homeschooling journey.  Through this series of books we share what we have learned throughout our home learning adventure with you.

Our home learning experience has brought new and bright discoveries, that continue to fill us with beautiful family moments. This collection of books documents much of this journey, and so much more.



While this book collection is rooted in Montessori, it is also a practical resource for parents, individuals, and homeschoolers that provides information as to how the method supports parents who are following their children on a natural learning journey. This book collection was written to foster the the parent child connection, and with the intent that each individual will use the content in a way that makes sense for them. While this book is not a manual, it will help you understand the basic scope and sequence of the materials. The books focus heavily on the philosophy, parenting, and traditional use of Montessori materials, as this is a fantastic foundation to build from. It is our goal to project a practical view of the materials to support you with forming solutions that are perfect for your family based on the individual needs of you and your children.
  
All materials are photographed in detail with extensive information and tutorials which include: the traditional function and use of each material; additional support materials that are required for each material including if the material are used later in the curriculum; how do the materials follow your child's development, and what are the alternatives for economical solutions.

It is my hope that this collection of books will answer the vast majority of questions that you may have asked, AND offer a great deal of information regarding a huge range of questions that you never knew you had.

This series of books "A Practical Guide to Montessori & Homeschooling", delivers a clear image of the Montessori philosophy. It offers helpful information which will assist you in creating an accessible and practical Montessori environment within your home, to work in harmony with your child's natural development. Some of you may wish to incorporate many of the materials shown throughout this collection, while others may wish to create an environment completely based on the Montessori philosophy. The Montessori Method at heart is about observing your child as an individual, and creating a lifestyle at home, where your child has the freedom and flexibility to thrive and learn on their own timeline, and through their own interests and passion.


Below is a detailed video preview of this series for you to see a selection of the contents covered in the collection. We have three additional titles that will be added to the collection in the near future. 


We have been living with the materials and philosophy in our home for nearly a decade. The very heart and essence of this collection of books is to honour diversity and freedom of choice in the home learning experience. This book, our Blog and Facebook page are intended to support a peaceful and non-judgemental learning experience that celebrates families and their freedom to create their own home learning story. Your journey may not look like ours which is perfect because it shouldn't; your journey is your own. 

Montessori Basics
Montessori Basics is filled with practical working knowledge of Maria Montessori’s philosophy of education, and how this translates to a home learning environment. It addresses the most commonly asked questions about Montessori philosophy, the materials, common terms, basics components and working knowledge of lessons and methods at home. This Montessori basics book will help parents and individuals understand how and why following the natural development of children is an integral piece of the Montessori Method. This book covers additional questions about building home environments, the practical differences between Montessori education and mainstream schools, as well as the Montessori parenting experience. This book also speaks at length about the myths that often accompany the method, materials and philosophy. This book is an essential piece for those who are beginning to incorporate the philosophy, or who are seeking additional understanding from a clear and practical perspective.
Homeschooling Basics

Homeschooling Basics is an invaluable resource for those who are new to homeschooling, or well rooted. This book covers a broad range of questions about home learning, resources and the logistics of balancing family needs while learning at home. This book supports parents who are looking for solutions to provide a connected and peaceful home learning environment for their children. Homeschooling Basics covers everything from peaceful parenting, home organization solutions, to practical natural learning resources and ideas. We share our home learning story with you, along with many of the challenges and beauty of our home learning experience.
Baby & Toddler

The Baby & Toddler book provides support for parents and caregivers who are beginning their parenting journey or perhaps are looking for a new perspective. This book will help parents and caregivers to create a safe and supportive environment that will work in harmony with the developmental needs of children. This book will offer peaceful non-judgmental parenting strategies, resources and solutions that will support your individual needs and growth as a family. This book provides information on the history and use of Montessori infant toddler mobiles, and extensive DIY tutorials for creating materials and mobiles for your child. Each tutorial is beautifully photographed in full colour providing the steps, templates, and material options for creating your own mobiles inexpensively.  This book also covers infant toddler Montessori or inspired materials and toys, and how they support your child’s natural development.
Practical Life

The Montessori Practical Life experience is one of the most beautiful experiences and gifts for any child at home. Children work through this period to build motor skills and knowledge of their environment through investigation and exploration. The activities help to foster natural independence, self-reliance, and self-esteem. The heart of practical life is empowerment through observation, in connecting and fostering the physical and mental developmental needs and well-being of children. It is about creating the space and freedom for a child to interact within their environment. This book will provide ideas and support for those who wish to create a natural and practical environment for children to explore. This book offers a close look at traditional Practical Life materials and trays, and alternatives to support a child’s natural curiosity and development through daily living.
Sensorial

Early Sensorial is an extraordinary journey that every child will embark on. This book lays out the Montessori Sensorial experience in full colour photography to help you see the materials, function and purpose clearly. The Sensorial basic scope and sequence is explained in a practical and comprehensive way to support parents in understanding how Sensorial materials (in any form) support your child’s natural development. Some materials from this collection are used throughout mathematics, and this information is clearly identified in effort to help guide material purchasing choices. This book provides DIY solutions and alternatives to help make the journey into the senses affordable or free. We offer our experience in using the materials at home and how they lived accessibly within our home environment. This book also identifies materials that are carried forth into other areas of the curriculum later on.
Early Language

The Early Language book is a beautiful full colour exploration of the sequence of early Montessori Language and materials for the three to six age range. Montessori language is a unique hands on exploration of language through the use of physical manipulatives and objects, making it a dynamic interactive experience for children. This book provides extensive information knowledge, tutorials and solutions for affordable language material making. The book supports parents to foster the natural progression of language development through observation in offering materials that meet the needs of their children. The goal of this book is to help parents to identify the components, purpose and use of early Montessori language materials as a guide for those wishing to incorporate these materials as a home learning option.
Elementary Language

Elementary Language is a continuation of Early Language. This book covers the sequence of language materials used during the elementary curriculum, six through twelve years of age. All materials are photographed in full colour and provide information as to the components covered, use and purpose of the lessons and materials.  This book provides solutions to create inexpensive DIY options for physical and print materials. Grammar materials are covered in great detail.
Early Math

This is an extensive book that covers the range of three to six years of age. Early Math begins with a concrete, physical exploration of numeracy through beautiful manipulatives and materials. Early Math delivers a fully photographed investigation of these materials, including tutorials for use of all materials and the developmental purpose. This book supports parents in working with the materials in a way in which will enhance their child’s natural love and curiosity of the numerical world. This book will identify materials and their supporting components (including print materials) and how they are used together. It also identifies materials that are carried forward into elementary math. This book provides extensive DIY solutions for affordable material making, and alternatives for parents who are looking to support their children with resources who are on a natural learning path. This book benefits parents and caregivers who may be looking to provide additional math resources into their existing environment.
Elementary Math

Elementary Math is a continuation of Early Math. Elementary Math covers the age range of six to twelve years of age. This book covers elementary materials in full colour photography with extensive tutorials for the use and purpose of each material. This book will help parents to support a math journey that is created with stunning base of manipulative materials and games, to bring more complex math concepts to life in a practical and clear way. Each material section covers DIY solutions and alternatives for parents who may wish to incorporate all or a portion of the materials affordably into their environment.
Early Geography


Early Geography is an incredible world of discovery that supports parents, caregivers and individuals to foster a child’s connection to the diversity and beauty of their global community. This book covers the three to six year sequence of early Montessori geography materials through a beautifully photographed full colour experience. In addition this book lays out the elementary sequence, and identifies which materials are carried forward from early to elementary geography. The purpose and use of materials are practically and clearly explained, along with tutorials and alternatives to help create affordable and accessible solutions at home. This book provides support to parents and individuals who may wish to incorporate all or a selection of the materials into their natural learning environment.

We wish you all great love in your journey to making Montessori yours💕



14 comments:

  1. I am just starting out as an assistant and this was the best document I have found so far...although I wish it included the ages the material is appropriate for :)

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    1. There is an order of introduction for all Montessori Materials but...it also depends 100% on the child. Many materials are used and reintroduced later for different resaons... at different ages. If you visit Montessori Research and Development and look at the index for each manual you will have a great idea of the order. These are wonderful manuals. As you look through the index you can google the materials and check out text and video lessons that will tell you the approx ages.
      I hope that helps:))

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  2. how can i order ur materials..

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  3. I am so very sorry, but I do not sell materials. I purchased the majority of our materials from Kidadvance. We also have made many materials - you can check those out along the left sidebar. I wish you the very best of luck!!

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  4. If this is something shared with parents, there is another reason for NOT including ages. They may see them as benchmarks; wanting to know why their child isn't doing something or is still doing something (labeled younger than the child's age).

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    1. So true!! I think though that as home schooling parents we are always looking for a general guideline. Totally makes sense though:)

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  5. Pls how do i get a copy of the book.

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    1. Thank you for your interest in our book! The book is in the finishing stages and editing. I will post all about it when it is ready for release. Thanks again <3

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  6. I am just starting out as homeschooling mother for my 4,5 and 2 yo children. As a beginner, im kinda confused and overwhelmed sometimes espescially for choosing the materials and guidelines. It definitely helps me a lot. Thank you

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    1. I'm so happy to hear that <3 I shall have more news about our book soon!!

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  7. I can't see the book in your shop. Is it finished?

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    1. I am working on the last couple of sections and will post as soon as it's available. Thank you for asking!!

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  8. Am Bella Hycent and I am interested in your book.Send me details of all I need to know on my mail box.Scholarfield2012 @gmail.com.I look forward to hearing from you.Cheers.

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  9. I am interested in your book please

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I greatly appreciate your friendly comments and feedback. I love to see what others are making, so please feel free to include a links and share your site with us!!! If you have any questions regarding any of the materials we have made...I'd love to help!!! Thank you for visiting us:)