Help Your Preschooler Build A Better Brain – Review & Giveaway (Closed)

For this week’s Montessori Moment, I’m happy share the newest book for using the Montessori Method at home:   Help Your Preschooler Build A Better Brain: Early Learning Activities for 2-6 Year Old Children by John Bowman. The minute I picked up the book, I found myself pouring over pages displaying materials and educational activities. I think most readers, especially us busy Moms, will find the Quick Start Guide in the beginning of the book handy as it lays out the process all in one page.  And for when the book has been read, there’s a section full of FAQs to help with any bumps in the road.

Bowman gives clear and easy directions on how to begin using Montessori with your child. He writes about the connections these materials and lessons make within the child’s brain.  The author mentions that early learning is important because most of the brain’s architecture is formed by age six.  Work now can help build a positive self image and a love of learning.

I was pleased to see him address the readiness of the home teacher, and give examples of encouraging language to use with the child.  He explains the three step/period lesson plainly for the home teacher, and uses photographs in sequential order within several lessons.  The book outlines a easy to follow summary of each activity and how to go about presenting it to your child.  Early learning activities in the book include:  Independence, Sensory Experience, Science, Mathematics, and Reading and Writing.

This stands out from other books about Montessori in the home by providing information and resources that are available online.  I found links and suggestions within each area extremely helpful.   Also, this book shows other educational ideas that involve art, games, and technology.  It was refreshing to see a Montessori book highlight some computer games and child-friendly websites that compliment Montessori work.

Even as a Montessori Teacher, I found gathering and maintaining my home environment overwhelming.  I had hundreds of possible lessons and activities in my mind and a garage full of materials, yet it was hard to organize it all to fit the needs of my home.  I feel that through reading and reviewing this book, I am able to prioritize what to present and plan ahead for our next steps.

Who should read this book?  Parents who want to provide educational activities in the home, parents with children in preschool at Montessori or traditional school,  home educators,  teachers opening a new classroom, those newly interested in Montessori, and YOU!

Giveaway Moment:

1 Canadian winner will win a PDF of Montessori at Home

1 US winner will win a hard copy of Help your preschooler build a better brain

How to Enter:

Tell me if you are from Canada or the US and something you learned from the Montessori At Home site.

(Do any or all of these entries. Leave a separate comment for each entry!)

Follow Mommy Moment through Google Friend Connect

Subscribe to Mommy Moment by e-mail or reader

Like Mommy Moment on Facebook

Follow @mommymomentblog & Tweet ”Help your preschooler build a better brain with this great #giveaway via @mommymomentblog on http://mommymoment.ca Open to US & CAN ” (1 RT per day)

Follow Mommy Moment through Networked Blogs (bottom right sidebar)

Digg or Stumble one of my NON- giveaway posts

Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link.

Ends: 5/30

Open to: US & Canada

Winners will be chosen by Random.org

Never miss a post, Subscribe.

Disclosure: A Mommy Moment reviewer was provided with product in order to give her own personal opinions on it. The opinions given are that of the Mommy Moment reviewer and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.

Winners:

Written by Jessie Beerman, M. Ed, from The Education of Ours,

a blog about Montessori Education for the home.

Jessie is a proud mom to three daughters, and a Montessori Teacher

who dabbles in writing, art, and yoga.