This was recommended to me by the director at the Montessori preschool that Snuzzler will probably attend (16 months from now, yes… but these things need to be decided early when you live in San Francisco). It discusses Montessori’s ideas for the 0-3-year-old child, and actions that parents can implement to start developing autonomy even at this early age.
There are some good, practical ideas for parents in this book, but it much of it reads like it was written in 1983 instead of 2003. The breastfeeding section is a good example… they recommend “toughening” up your nipples prior to having your baby to make breastfeeding easier, but the La Leche League and other breastfeeding authorities no longer recommend it. They also recommend weaning at nine months; The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for six month, then continuing at least one year and two years or more if possible.
The sections on sleeping, personal care, language and the developing will contain a lot of specific ideas for creating the baby’s room and teaching autonomy. Though I may not follow these ideas to the letter, there are some general principals here that resonate with me, such as creating a simple, functional environment. I’d also like to see if Snuzzler has any luck drinking water from a small shot glass or votive candle holder.
I do love Montessori and I’m excited for Ivan to go to his preschool, but this book has you leaving your newborn alone more time than makes me comfortable. They seem to advocate CIO (Crying It Out) for very young babies, and I am not comfortable with that. However, I think Attached parents can still find useful information in this book… teaching a child to drink from a cup at nine months or put on his own socks does not interfere with Attachment Parenting theories.
Pros: Specificity of information, doable ideas that can be implemented immediately by parents. Ideas can be adapted to suit you and your child (even though they are so specific). The book is very readable and well-organized.
Cons: The entire section on breastfeeding. Find another source for more accurate information, such as The Nursing Mother’s Companion or The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.
Montessori From the Start on Amazon.com
