Montessori in Practice

Rediscover the writings of a real Montessori sage. What is the meaning of scientific pedagogy? Why is adequate training even more important than the materials? Are multi-age groupings necessary? What does "follow the child" imply?

Enlivened by real-life stories and personal insights, this is a fascinating collection of forty of Lakshmi Kripalani's Public School Montessorian articles (1989-1998) and a compelling resource for understanding Montessori education in the U.S.

Trained in 1946 by Maria Montessori in Karachi, India. Lakshmi Kripalani's down-to-earth perspective on "what Montessori really meant" offers today's teachers invaluable insights and a wealth of practical tips. Always enthralling, sometimes surprising, and often controversial, this volume offers anecdotes from Kripalani's time in a refugee camp after the partition of India, where she set up a school and even used pebbles for unit beads. Paperback, 173 pages.

Kripalani was honored with a Lifetime Achievement award from AMS in 2010. Kripalani also has a second volume More Montessori in Practice (R506) with topics timely to today's Montessorians.

About the Author

Teacher, Montessori directress and teacher-trainer, consultant, lecturer, columnist, lifetime MENSA member, and poet, Lakshmi Kripalani's unique experience with Montessori education in a variety of settings and her work with Dr. Montessori (and Montessori's son Mario) led Kripalani to open the Montessori Center of New Jersey teacher-training center in 1966.



A member of AMI, AMS, and NAMTA, Kripalani received many recognitions for her work within and for the Montessori community. With a career that spanned some 70 years, Lakshmi was a devoted Montessorian for the better part of Montessori history. She passed away, peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, November 12, 2013.