When a family decides to take a route less traveled to homeschool their children the number of questions and choices you have to make is staggering and overwhelming. The list is never-ending – from what approach to take to how to manage household and expenses on one income, and of course, there is socialization.
In fact, it is getting harder and harder for children to deal with issues that arise due to the mental health crisis children are facing today.
The socialization aspect of the modern-day conventional schooling is the very reason parents opt to homeschool. One of the definitions of socialization is “the process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable to society“. Even though the responsibility of finding a community of like-minded people and teaching children values and communication skills lay heavily on the homeschooling parents, for many, it outweighs all the damage that is done to the children in schools because of intensified bullying, stressed-out teachers and overly structured and overly regulated curriculum and testing system.
Homeschooling families do not need to have their choice validated by every family member, every teacher we come across, friend, stranger or grocery shop lady. Real-life is the ultimate test every single child will have to face.
Homeschooling is proven to be effective regardless of the parent’s level of education and greatly portrayed stereotypical myths:
“In 2008, Dr. Brian Ray, an internationally recognized scholar and president of the non-profit National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), collected academic data based on 25 years of homeschool achievement. Dr. Ray utilized 15 independent testing services, to obtain information from 11,739 homeschooled students from all 50 states who took three well-known tests—California Achievement Test, Iowa Tests of Basic Skills, and Stanford Achievement Test.
“Overall the study showed significant advances in homeschool academic achievement as well as revealing that issues such as student gender, parents’ education level, and family income had little bearing on the results of homeschooled students.” Source
The best possible advice you can receive from anyone who has been homeschooling for an extended period is that you need to take a stress factor out of your decision-making process and build your planning based on your child’s interests. Burning out is way too real in the homeschooling world (Montessori or not). So if you are starting something so significant and life-changing, you may as well do it right from the beginning.
“The child, making use of all that he finds around him, shapes himself for the future.” Maria Montessori
Montessori homeschooling goes way beyond the three-period lesson and presentations. You are preparing your child for life. In our homeschool, we incorporate learning of doing weekly budgets, plan grocery shopping. Children learn to take an active part in daily life.
“Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired by listening to words but by experiences in the environment.” Maria Montessori
They will know how taxes work, what to do when a tire is busted, how to build emotional connections with people of all ages, build bridges with people from different backgrounds. All simply because parents are heavily invested in educating the mind and soul of each child more than the most incredible teacher ever would. Children are not just observers; they actively participate in everything we do.
“There is in the child a special kind of sensitivity which leads him to absorb everything about him, and it is this work of observing and absorbing that alone enables him to adapt himself to life. He does it in virtue of an unconscious power that exists in childhood…” Maria Montessori
When homeschooling you have to think from the perspective of the end final point and plan way ahead. I keep track of my children’s interests and strengths from an early age. I already have in perspective the options homeschooled children have to enter the university and how to take advantage of the fact that they don’t have to wait until they finish grade 12 to enter one or start working towards this goal. I am here to encourage them to pursue their passion and give it all they’ve got.
As a homeschooling family, you have to think from a different angle altogether. Just like Montessori stated we realize that education must start at birth. We chose to homeschool not because we were trying to run away from the evils of society or because we are convinced that schools are not good enough for our children. It was purely lifestyle choice. This world is such a diverse place and when you homeschool you have an incredible abundance of options. There is space for travel, for doing ministry, pursuing interests and hobbies, venturing into starting a business and meet people from all sorts of backgrounds and ages. By simply doing life we can teach and model how to live mindfully, deal with stress, plant and grow food, learn to prepare nutritious meals and be discerning when it comes to choosing friends.
And most importantly there is plenty of time to be a child, adventurer, connect with the natural world and family, be together while it lasts.
I invite you to join my Montessori Nature Homeschool Community if you are looking to connect with like-minded homeschoolers or if you need help getting started and would like to learn how to incorporate Montessori principals and natural learning into your everyday life.
Here is a rough sketch and suggested steps to take:
Observe your child. Make a lot of notes!
Decide on your weekly plan incorporating all shopping, outings and extracurricular activities.
Plan your daily routine.
Plan your learning goals together with the child.
Gather your materials.
Follow your child and enjoy the process!
I have a shortcut to offer you. Here is a list of Montessori homeschool blogs, resources, and websites to inspire and provide some sort of reference when working on your planning. I did this research for you hoping to save you some precious time and help you not to get lost in the sea of information the Internet sphere is.
My recommendations on Montessori Parenting Books.
Montessori Materials – Presentations | montessoriinfo.com
Montessori Homeschooling – general information and resources | montessori.org
Free printables | Montessori Nature
Free printable materials | montessorialbum.com
Free printables | The Helpful Garden
General information on Montessori | www.michaelolaf.net
Homeschool Planner | Montessori Nature
Curriculum choices:
Math and Language Arts | Shiller Math
Geography | Pin it Maps
3-6 Montessori Homeschool Program | North American Montessori Center
Christian Curriculum Resources | Master Books
Waseca Curriculum and Resources | Waseca Biomes
Montessori Printables for Elementary Students | Montessori Kiwi
Blogs:
Montessori Theory and Lessons | Montessori Commons
Homeschooling Preschooler the Montessori Way | Montessori Nature
Our Montessori Preschool Homeschool Routine | Montessori Nature
A Tour of Elisabeth’s Homeschool Classroom | Montessori Kiwi
Montessori theory and practice | Carrots are Orange
Montessori Christian homeschool | Mama’s Happy Hive
Printables and homeschool information | The Helpful Garden
Montessori Homeschool resources | Making Montessori Ours
Homeschooling with Special Needs | Every Star is Different
Free printables | Montessori for Everyone
eCourses:
The Power of the Prepared Parent – A Montessori Crash Course | Chris O’Leary – Montessori Nature Online School
Montessori Langauge Online Course | Dina Ahmed – Montessori Tube Academy
Montessori Math Online Course | Dina Ahmed – Montessori Tube Academy
Montessori Sensorial Online Course | Dina Ahmed – Montessori Tube Academy
Montessori Cosmic Education Online Course | Dina Ahmed – Montessori Tube Academy
My Montessori Homeschool – A Comprehensive Online Training Course | Marnie, Carrots are Orange
Math Strategies in Montessori | Montessorikiwi
Montessori for Parents and Caregivers of 6-12 Year Olds |Montessorikiwi
Facebook communities:
Montessori Nature Homeschool Community
Second Plane Montessori: The Elementary Years
Tackle Box Montessori – Guided DIY Materials – Homeschooling & Parenting
Montessori Presentations {Videos}:
Montessori Lessons | Youtube
I hope you will find this list helpful! Remember, just like Maria Montessori said: “Progress is not linear”. There will be ups and downs, frustrations, productive and happy days and days when you feel exhausted and helpless. Here is why having a planner, and a list of go-to resources will help you plan your week, month and the whole year. Keeping your daily routine and resources organized will put your mind at ease because you will be able to observe your progress and make adjustments as you go. There is no such thing as a perfect homeschool or perfect circumstance. Every single family struggles at times. Your progression line may go up and down, twirl and swirl. As soon as you know where you are heading, stay true to yourself, your values, your ideas, and beliefs and never stop learning, you will enjoy the fruits of your labor and unconditional love. Let’s face it, unconditional love for our children is the one thing that keeps up going day in and out.
Nice post I like it most.
Thank you, Sara! I am glad I could help!
Thank you so much for this post! It pretty much sums up my feelings. Our 4 children have been in an AMI certified Montessori school, all through children’s house, elementary and upper elementary; and now one by one they are transitioning into homeschooling as then finish 6th grade. This was so helpful to read as we move forward in our next step.
Thank you!