The Secret Of Childhood - Ballantine - Nienhuis AMI

The book The Secret of Childhood is divided into three parts, dealing in turn with early childhood development, the author's educational method and the child's relationship to society. At first, Montessori speaks of the newborn child who is not only a body ready to function as a body, but who also possesses a spiritual embryo with latent psychic abilities. The second part of the book reports on the first Casa dei Bambini and the essence of the Montessori method.

The adult must be determined to learn from children rather than impose their own ideas on them. The essence of the Montessori method lies in observing, helping, presenting, rather than teaching or forcing. The adult, according to Montessori, must play a discreet role; everything is free and open for the child, who chooses his own materials to work with, and learns from them because they interest him. Thanks to the method of free choice of work and materials, concentration is high and the need for punishment and reward is not necessary. Freed from the emotional pressure of competition and fear, the child becomes stable, confident and happy.

Ballantine: 216 pp, softcover, 1972 edition

Reference: 539900

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