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.
First of all, allow me to make something clear. Regardless of your choices and whether your child is schooled in the public system, private school, Montessori school, through distance education or at home, you will have to deal with bullying, negative influence, social problems to some degree. 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.
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 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 realise 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.
photo credit: Natureweavers
I am working on creating the Montessori Homeschooling 101 ecourse. It is for those who need guidance to make it work based on your unique circumstance, who need reassurance, tools to assess and plan your days and learning and make sure your child is staying on track academically and socially; enjoy life together to the fullest without losing the sight of what matters – family, friendships, love of learning and following your child’s passions. I want to make sure it is of the highest quality, practical and goes into enough depth for you to homeschool using the Montessori method successfully. This is why I am taking the time to create it. You can jump on my list and receive notification when it is going to be available.
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 of Montessori Parenting Books.
Montessori scope and sequence PDF file
Montessori Materials – Presentations | montessoriinfo.com
Montessori Homeschooling – general information and resources | montessori.org
Free printable materials | montessorialbum.com
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
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
A Tour of Bree’s Homeschool Classroom | Montessori Kiwi
Montessori theory and practice | Carrots are Orange
Homeschool ideas for young children | MOMtessori Life
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:
My Montessori Homeschool – A Comprehensive Online Training Course | Marnie, Carrots are Orange
Facebook communities:
Raising Multilingual Montessori Children-Montessori Nature Community Group
Montessori Homeschooling 6-12 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 organised 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 labour and unconditional love. Let’s face it, unconditional love for our children is the one thing that keeps up going day in and out.
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