Table of Contents
Author's introduction 6
Why Montessori?
The highs and lows of parenting 10
What is Montessori? 12
Sensitive periods for learning 14
How a child's brain develops 18
The magic of Montessori schools 20
Right from the beginning 24
Your growing baby 32
Making your home child-friendly 34
Planning the perfect first bedroom 36
Adapting your home to a growing child 40
Watch and follow your child 48
Discovery through the senses
Building sensory awareness 52
How babies experience their world 54
Basket of treasures 58
Sensory activities that help children learn 62
Let me do it
Help me to do it myself 78
Children love to work and play 80
Getting a handle on bathroom skills 88
The art of getting dressed 94
Helping out around the house 100
Keeping the peace
Create a loving climate 110
Finding a common parenting style 114
Coping with family change 116
Sidestepping tantrums 118
A positive approach to discipline 124
Understanding your child's personality 128
Teaching lessons in grace and courtesy 132
Solving problems at the peace table 136
Taking control of the television 140
Managing screen time 142
Exploring the wider world
Children are little scientists 146
Working in the family garden 150
Taking a walk in the forest 154
Make your own nature museum 158
Playing nature-based party games 160
Making cultures come alive 164
A Montessori birthday party 168
The best time to learn
The foundations for learning 174
The writing road to reading 182
First steps to mathematics 188
Exploring science in your home 192
Developing executive functions 196
Is Montessori right for your child? 198
Find an activity 202
Index 204
Imprint 207
Websites and acknowledgments 208
