Finding the best way to educate your children is no mean feat, especially if you are limited by the types of provision in your area, and, often, by funds too! If you feel no local provisions match your ideals and ethos, you may choose to homeschool. And, if, like us, you believe the Montessori method is one of the most effective and beneficial ways to educate your children, then you are in the right place!
The Montessori home education method places the child at the centre of their learning journey and creates an environment around them that is set up with a myriad of ability-appropriate learning opportunities. Respect, freedom and hands-on learning are key to Dr Montessori’s principles, and so education in this way puts the child in the driver’s seat and allows them to explore the world around them at a pace and in a way that suits them.
How do I start Montessori Home Education?
Although developed for Maria Montessori’s own school, her method can easily be adapted to be used within the home. Almost any home space can be utilised as a Montessori learning environment, it might just need some tweaking to make it more child-friendly. Low level shelves with resources, equipment and books that can be easily seen and accessed independently by your child is a great place to start. This allows them to control what they engage with, and being able to do so without asking an adult to get something off a high shelf only serves to empower children more and provides them with some control over their educational experiences.
“What resources, equipment and books should I include?” I hear you ask. A great place to start is anything your child has an interest in. Long-time followers may remember Benedykt’s interest in churches from a very young age. We visited every church within range of our home. He had all kinds of books on churches. We did grave rubbings using wax crayons. We looked at religious iconography. He built churches out of wooden blocks… the list goes on. Providing resources, information and activities surrounding topics of special interest to your child will support them in developing a love of learning which will follow them into adulthood.
Other topics to include for the resources your children can access independently include: numbers; colours; animals and their habitats; weather and seasons; time, to name just a few! Maria Montessori famously said, “Play is the work of the child,” so consider providing toys that support children in:
- Problem solving
- Building fine and gross motor skills
- Co-operating with others
- Considering and processing new ideas
- Using their imagination
Examples of toys that support children in this way include matching activities, stacking blocks, balancing games, hammer/tap benches, sorting games and physical puzzles.
Is there a Montessori Curriculum?
The Montessori curriculum consists of five key areas of study:
- Language
- Sensorial
- Mathematics
- Practical Life
- Cultural Studies
With this curriculum, Maria Montessori aimed to holistically educate the child as a whole – this method concerns itself not just with academia, but also with supporting the development of children socially, emotionally, psychologically, and physically.
Benedykt & Sylvester Subscription Boxes
Benedykt & Sylvester subscription boxes are designed to provide a wide range of activities encompassed by a new topic each month. With 24 topics in total, you will not be stuck for ideas on what to teach your child next. Each box is aligned with Montessori home education principles, with activities that cover all 5 of Maria Montessori’s key areas of study for children aged between 3 and 6 years old. Resources include wooden learning tiles related to the current topic, paper and card-based activities, plus extra materials related to the topic. For example, the colours box also contains a magnifying glass with interchangeable colour panels, a wooden colour wheel and wooden word tiles. Indeed, many of the resources are wooden, meaning they are extremely durable and hard-wearing; they will last for years – particularly useful for households with two or more children where they can be passed down to siblings. It also means they can be taken with you on day trips and used outside! Great for practical, outdoor learning experiences.
There are a whole host of other Montessori aligned resources and toys available from Benedykt & Sylvester that can support Montessori home education. Check them out here.