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One of the most common questions we’re asked in our Instagram DMs from new parents is requests for books to get started with both parenting and Montessori (and the combination of the two). Not every parent has time for certifications or courses, and we get that! These are our favorites that we come back to time and again as gifts for new parent friends as well as ones we reference ourselves.
First up is Montessori From The Start: The Child at Home, from Birth to Age Three by Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen. We especially appreciated the Psycho-Motor Development drawings between the Preface and the Introduction, which describe in graphical format how to best prepare the Montessori environment for your little one to support their growth, needs and sensitive periods.
Next the comprehensive and beautifully written The Montessori Baby by Simone Davies and Junnifa Uzodike. There are so many features of this book that are helpful for new parents and educators alike, from recommending clear and concrete ways to setup a Montessori environment from birth to ways to create a calming environment for both parents and baby. I especially love the glimpses into Montessori environments from around the world!
A perfect compliment to The Montessori Baby is The Montessori Toddler also by Simone Davies. So many parenting books lament “the terrible twos” and this book defies that cliché, thankfully! There are wonderful suggestions for fostering curiosity, following the child and activities that support both the parent and the child. These two books are much more minimalist and less alarmist replacements, in my mind, to the classic “What to Expect…” series of books, if you’re looking for a gift to support a new parent or yourself!
Last but not least (or maybe least — #minimalismpun) is Simple Happy Parenting by Denaye Barahona Ph.D. This photo-filled book helps reinforce what home life can look like when you simplify your belongings and stress to focus on and support each other. The focus on finding calm and joy as a family through reframing and cutting through the clutter is very welcome! We know as well as everyone that new parenthood comes with a lot of stress AND stuff, so this book was a wonderful reminder to refocus on what’s really important.
TLDR: The book list of our favorite parenting early childhood books in summary: