Child of the World: Montessori, Global Education for Age 3-12+

In a world where the term "Montessori" is frequently misused to label classrooms that deviate from authentic practices, veteran educator Susan Mayclin Stephenson offers a vital, clarifying resource in "Child of the World: Montessori, Global Education for Age 3-12+". Drawing from nearly fifty years of international teaching and consulting experience with the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Stephenson provides an accessible and eloquent blueprint of genuine Montessori pedagogy across multiple developmental planes. The book is thoughtfully organized to map out a child's expanding horizons, focusing heavily on Montessori's concept of "Cosmic Education"—a unifying, global view that helps children make sense of the overwhelming facts and information in the modern era. It contrasts the sensory-driven "Primary Class" (ages 3–6), where the world is brought into the classroom, with the imagination-fueled "Elementary Class" (ages 6–12+), where children actively go out into the world through teamwork, fields trips, and big projects. Additionally, the text extends into the vital transitions of adolescence (ages 12–18). Filled with 40 of the author's own black-and-white illustrations, practical checklists for preparing a home environment, and actionable parenting insights, this volume serves as an exceptional, cross-cultural guide to nurturing independent, focused, and compassionate global citizens.