Many parents are familiar with Montessori preschools and their unique approach to the education of young children. But what happens after the primary years? In the last decade, Montessori elementary and middle schools have sprung up all over the country. Paula Lillard, director of a Montessori school for children ranging in age from eighteen months to fifteen years, provides a clear and cogent introduction to the Montessori program for the elementary and later years.
Montessori’s theory – to adapt education for each developmental stage through materials especially designed for a child’s exploration and self-discovery – encourages children to be active rather than passive learners at all levels. In detailed accounts of both theory and practice of Montessori methods, Lillard shows how children acquire the skills to answer their own questions, learn to manage freedom with responsibility, and maintain a high level of intellectual curiosity. This is an essential handbook for parents and teachers interested in the Montessori alternative for the older child.