There are many reasons to love Montessori, indeed. In this episode, we will share with you why we love to teach Montessori at home and also a list of wonderful Montessori resources to get you started.
I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education as well as a Master’s degree in School Administration before I even met my husband.
I knew, without a doubt, that I enjoyed teaching and that I was always on the lookout for new and innovative ideas and methods to incorporate into my lessons.
My realization of how different and unique learning can be, and how little a teacher matters, didn’t occur to me until I was introduced to the Montessori Method.
What is truly important is the child and how she learns at her own pace in her environment.
There are many reasons to love Montessori. In this post, we will discuss why we enjoy teaching Montessori at home, as well as provide you with a list of wonderful Montessori resources to get you started.
Watch & Listen to the Episode Here:
As you watch or listen to this training, know that you will be able to get more information than what is included in this blog post.
However, I really want to encourage you to take the time to watch or listen and take notes.
Importantly, this will be helpful to you now and in the future.
Why We Love to Teach Montessori at Home
I think that the post would be extremely long if I were to explain every single aspect of The Montessori Method.
But I will be happy to list the pros and cons that I have encountered with using The Montessori Method in our homeschool.
It would be good to point out to you that we aren’t purists (as in using The Montessori Method exclusively).
But we do incorporate it into pretty much every subject we study.
Here are some of the best Montessori books out there that helped me a lot:
Montessori from the Start: The Child at Home, from Birth to Age Three
The Absorbent MindHow To Raise An Amazing Child the Montessori Way, 2nd EditionMontessori: A Modern Approach: The Classic Introduction to Montessori for Parents and TeachersMontessori at Home Guide: 101 Montessori Inspired Activities for Children Ages 2-6Teaching Montessori in the Home: Pre-School Years: The Pre-School YearsTeach Me to Do It Myself: Montessori Activities for You and Your ChildThe Secret of ChildhoodThe Discovery of the ChildMontessori at Home Guide: A Short Guide to a Practical Montessori Homeschool for Children Ages 2-6 (Volume 2)
Why We Love Montessori: The Positives
Montessori students develop a love for learning and younger children get to learn from the older children in the class.
That, in and of itself, is amazing for impressionable, young children.
This is beyond an educational program and is nothing compared to traditional schools.
A child that is Montessori educated is one that thrives in so many things, including social skills.
Children working in Montessori classrooms will give you so much satisfaction, especially when they are normalized in the Montessori environment.
This is a term that Maria Montessori coined perfectly! It means adjustment.
- It appeals to all of our senses, which makes learning more fun and easier for retention
- The Montessori teacher isn’t the main leader, but rather a guide
- Firstly, children thrive with independence, problem-solving skills and patience
- It instills a culture of peace and care for others in and outside The Montessori community
- Secondly, children learn to care for themselves and for their school or home environment
- Montessori materials have many purposes and levels of learning
- Montessori instills a love for independent discovery in learning
- It encourages multi-aged grouping (which is perfect for homeschooling siblings)
- It encourages freedom within parameters based on self-discipline and thinking of others
- Thirdly, children learn and advance at their own pace.
- Grace and courtesy are character strengths taught in the Practical Life subject
- You can do Montessori almost anywhere, including your living room
Some Negatives from Using Montessori
- Unfortunately, as beautiful as Montessori materials are, they are very pricey.
- In addition, Montessori materials are bulky and take up a lot of room (in the environment and in storage)
- To clarify, the teacher has to have some degree of training or have been around The Montessori Method to understand it and effectively implement it
Solutions to the Montessori Negatives I Mentioned
Yes, Montessori materials can be quite expensive, but I have found that purchasing used, like in FB groups or at discounted stores can really bring the cost down.
On one hand, let’s face it: Montessori materials are bulky.
On the other hand, there is no real way around that, except to cycle them. Store some and put some out for use.
What I have done in our homeschool is make readily available materials that are in the Sensitive Periods and those that are connected to topics we are currently studying.
I do keep some of their favorites out all the time because they are so drawn to them.
For this point, I would suggest to have a homeschool room.
I know of several moms that effectively homeschool their children using The Montessori Method and Montessori-Inspired materials that haven’t had any formal training.
They have done researched, gotten their hands on anything free or nearly free to learn more, they have acquired albums to help guide them and they practice a lot on their own.
I am Montessori trained for ages 3-6 and I am glad I did. When I got the training, though, I was single and had the intentions of teaching at a Montessori school.
I never thought of homeschooling my children, so that wasn’t part of the decision-making.
I will say, though, that I have found my training to be extremely helpful and that it has made a positive difference in my confidence in using Montessori in our homeschool.
Training costs money, but in the end, I think it was worth it.
Montessori Basics that we Recommend
- Knobless Cylinders Set
- Moveable Alphabet
- Binomial Cube
- Pink Tower
- Brown Stair
- Geometric Solids
- Dressing Frames
- Landforms Set
Montessori Knobless Cylinders (Set of 4)Montessori Cursive Moveable Alphabets with BoxMontessori Binomial CubeNDJK Montessori Sensorial Materials Tower Family Set Wooden Building Blocks Toy KidMontessori Materials Brown Stairs 5 Steps Toddler ToyMontessori Geometric Solids With Stands, Bases, and BoxEarly Learning Basic Life Skills Toys – Zip, Snap, Button, Buckle, Lace & Tie 6 pcs/setMontessori Sandpaper Land and Water Form Cards
Choose Montessori
Firstly, if you have been thinking about using the Montessori approach in your homeschool, give it a try!
Secondly, I offer many free printables, ideas and resources on my blog that can help guide you some.
Thirdly, we love using Montessori as part of our homeschool and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
I honestly cannot imagine homeschooling without integrating it into our subjects.
Like I said at the beginning of the show, I have a FB group for all things Montessori that you are welcome to join.
It is called The Montessori Way Prep Room.
If you want to join a homeschool Facebook community, then join The Natural Homeschool Community!
Will you give it a try?
Thank you for visiting our “Why We Love to Teach Montessori at Home” post!
Finally, here is a great list of resources to get you started:
Montessori lovers: Are you ready to make yourself a centered, organized Montessori Guide, nurture happy children and create smooth and successful days?
- Montessori Essentials for Toddlers
Let’s take a look at some Montessori essentials for toddlers. - Foreign Languages the Montessori Way
Foreign Languages the Montessori Way will show you how to do foreign languages for kids the Montessori way with three simple activities that you can incorporate daily. - Introduce Hibernation, Migration and Adaptation to Children
When you introduce your children to the concepts of hibernation, migration and adaptation, you will love to learn how they find food, which ones follow each of these survival techniques and so much more.
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