10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Montessori Homeschooling
The Montessori homeschooling style is based on the Montessori Method which was created by Maria Montessori in the early 1900s.
This method of teaching is very well known and has been taught for over 100 years all over the world. This approach aims to help your child with self-awareness, connecting with others, and being productive adults.
Montessori homeschooling also helps your child with problem-solving techniques, patience, self-discipline, practical life, and compassion for others and the environment.
Your role as a parent is to provide guidance while your child gains concentration, order, and other positive skills.
1. The School Year Is Year-Round
Montessori believes learning happens naturally in a child’s life and doesn’t start and stop. Because your child is at home learning, then education happens while eating meals, playing, exploring outside, reading and more. Weekends and holidays are just more of the same.
2. There is No Real Lesson Plans
Maria Montessori believed in something similar to unschooling. Instead of scripting detailed lesson plans ahead of time and following a curriculum, she believed in following the child instead. Concepts and skills can be noted and introduced but ultimately following the child and taking note of learning opportunities is the lesson plan.
Also Read: 10 Key Differences Between Montessori and Daycare
3. A Lot of Learning is Spent Outdoors
Montessori homeschooling believes time spent in nature and at playgrounds is an unstructured learning opportunity for your child. Nature and exploring are considered a great social and free way for your child to learn.
Instead of a 20 minute or even an hour-long recess, you can spend a half-day outdoors. Unlimited time outdoors with your child also strengthens the relationship.
4. Learning is Interest Based
Children tend to learn more by enjoying what they are doing. Catering to your child's interests is a great way to make learning fun, unforgettable, and encourage them in learning. Books are a fun way to learn about activities, history, music, animals, and more.
5. Montessori Learning is for Mixed Age Groups
Maria Montessori believed that mixed age groups were a benefit to students, and that role-modeling and collaboration helps with social and emotional development.
Children from ages six to twelve can work in the same area and older children can take on leadership roles. Younger children can also learn to lead by finding interest and knowledge in a particular subject which helps gain confidence.
6. There are No Punishments or Rewards
While some rewards are great for a job well done, or making a good decision can backfire if when there is no reward, as the child will think there is nothing to work toward.
Montessori does not give grades, gold stars, or detentions and the approach is focused on protecting the natural, intrinsic motivation of children to explore and learn.
7. Most Learning is with Everyday Tools
Practical life materials or everyday tools, are often scaled down for your child’s hands and size.
These tools teach real-life skills like sweeping, washing dishes, setting a table, and getting dressed. Children will instinctively replicate the everyday activities they see you perform around them.
Using everyday tools your child will develop motor skills, balance, hand-eye coordination, problem solving, independence, confidence, and more.
Also Read: Montessori Practical Life Activities
As a parent you want to take every opportunity to teach your child steps on how to master activities going on in your home while resisting the desire to do things for them.
8. It Doesn’t Have to Cost A lot of Money
The Montessori method of teaching is so fundamentally flexible and adjustable that it can be utilized by any income level.
When homeschooling you can get away with buying very few materials. You can easily set up a learning environment with basic supplies, like trays and baskets, and other items found at thrift stores.
9.Cleaning and Organization is Taught
Organization is as important for the mind as it is for the setting in which your child learns.
The space you dedicate for your child to learn should be uncluttered, yet allows easy access to a shelf where they can find materials for activities and reading.
You can ask that your child helps with cleaning up the space, in the last ten minutes of the day. Taking just ten minutes a day means less clean up at the end of the week.
10.Child and Adult Interactions are Encouraged
One of the best ways to introduce certain thought processes and methods of learning is to model behaviors. Working with your child side by side, in precise subject matters and respecting what they think is a great teaching method.
Set aside a day to review the week’s achievements or let them help with the weekly lesson plans. This gives your child the opportunity to see that their opinions matter.
How to Set Up a Homeschooling Environment
The Montessori homeschooling space should be organized. The furniture and tools should also be child-sized, and learning materials can be set up effortlessly on low shelves to be easily seen, used, and then put away.
The whole space is built around natural materials like wood, silk, and wool, is light, beautiful, yet treated with respect by your child. This environment will make your child feel more confident when choosing materials and books as well as putting them away when it’s time to do so.
Final Thoughts
The Montessori homeschooling style focuses on allowing your child to learn at a pace that fits their potential and development. It helps to encourage your child’s confidence, independence, self-esteem, and self-awareness. This type of homeschooling method is sometimes viewed as an intense technique, but the results usually speak for themselves.