You had a 20mo and a 4yo at home, who you could not afford to send to Children's House, but who would be entering Montessori Elementary school at age 6?

I want to do my best to incorporate all I can of the MM into our home routines. I am in the process of reading Montessori From the Start, and frankly, it makes me feel like crap. And the sleeping/nursing rec's STINK. There *has* to be something better out there, and I know I should start with M Montessori's own work.....but which one? And which modern writers would best compliment?

Also, what about low-income and limited space considerations? Any authors that address that?

I would recommend these books by Dr. M:

1. Dr Montessori's Own Handbook
2. The Montessori Method
3. The Absorbent Mind
4. The Discovery of the Child
5. The Secret to Childhood
6. The Advanced Montessori Method (formerly Sponaneous Activity in Education)

For a very general overview of materials and their use but not alot of theory or practical advice for putting theory into practice:

Montessori: Play and Learn by Lesley Britton
and
Montessori: Read and Write by Lynne Lawrence

A Parent's Guide to the Montessori Classroom by Aline D. Wolf

Personally, I liked Montessori from the Start. Do they actually say that the child "should be weaned" at 9 mths. or that the process should begin then?
I read it a while ago so I don't remember.

Also, something I haven't read so can't give recommendation one way or the other: Montessori on a Limited Budget by Elvira Farrow and Carol Hill.

Im just starting a montessori mom and tot class next week. I'll see if they have any handouts of stuff to read. I also think if you have someone handy around who could make some wooden toys, they'll be awesome! Mostly offering stuff that they've already shown interest in is the wtg, so it doesn't have to be big in space or $. kwim? Can be cooking, painting, etc., and you can expand the lessons for each according to their own abilities. The little one can move things from bowl to bowl, pour stuff, and stir, while the older child learns how to measure to the line, pour from the container into the measure cup, use a funnel, etc. Not expensive, just FUN and easy to do right at home. In fact LOADS of hs'ers use montessorian methods, they just call it home schooling (or the other way around?!). Good luck, and if anything comes from the mom and me class I'll post it for ya!