4"The greatness of the human personality begins at the hour of birth." -Maria Montessori Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952) developed a method of education over a hundred years ago yet her philosophy and methods remain more relevant today than ever. One thing lacking in today's society is a sound method for preparing children for the world that they live in. The main principle of the Montessori Method is that children learn to manage their own lives while experiencing the joys of the world around them in a safe and well-prepared environment. In this book we offer an overview of Maria Montessori's principles, philosophies and educational methods for the newborn child through their twenty-fourth month of life. Parents, teachers and care providers who wish to learn more about early development and how to help the child achieve the most out of their own natural abilities will find this book useful and interesting. The child between the ages of 0-2 years is in the stage of development known as "The absorbent mind." It's the stage when the child absorbs all that is happening in the environment around them into their subconscious mind. This is an exciting and crucial stage. It's the stage where the foundation is laid for all future development. This book will help you create an environment to foster this development and honor your child's individuality and true potential.