What is the Montessori Curriculum?
Montessori is a child-centered, holistic approach to education. It was developed over a century ago by an Italian physician who was ahead of her time. She believed that children learn best from their experiences, through interactions within a prepared environment, and at their own unique pace.
However, if you want to try Montessori homeschooling, this description isn't enough. A full Montessori curriculum would give you a better idea of what this educational program entails. This can tell you if a Montessori homeschooling program is right for your family.
Read on to learn more about the Montessori curriculum.
What Is the Montessori Method?
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the amount of Montessori knowledge out there? Don't worry, that's normal. A lot of people have created individual interpretations of Montessori's teachings.
Here at Multisori, we prefer to define the Montessori Method in the most basic way possible. The Montessori Method is a child-led method of
The “Montessori Method” can be broken broadly into 3 points:
- Creating a child-centered educational approach.
- Treating the child as a natural learner, capable of initiating learning and acquiring knowledge when provided a thoughtfully prepared environment.
- Truly valuing the development of the whole child—physical, social, emotional, and cognitive. None of these critical areas are valued above or below any other.
Why Choose Montessori Education?
Out of the many types of education out there, why choose a Montessori one? We've covered the benefits of a Montessori education before. Here are some of them reiterated:
RESPECT FOR THE CHILD
One important principle in Montessori education is having respect for the child. This means encouraging a child to learn according to their interests and at their own unique pace. This approach helps children build self-confidence, strength, and resilience.
Allowing them to self-correct their mistakes can also build their confidence.
INDEPENDENCE
When a child learns to complete tasks on their own, it introduces the child to independence. It can also encourage a child to understand the full breadth of their capability.
Why You Should Homeschool Your Child
Many homeschooling benefits are the same as Montessori school benefits. For example, children in both Montessori schools and homeschooled children learn at a custom, individualized pace. However, some factors make Montessori homeschooling better than traditional Montessori schooling:
Safer Environment
These days, traditional schools are full of bullying and other types of violence. A child who learns at home doesn't have to worry about this. They can work in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Life Skills
Many traditional schools don't teach children important life skills. These include cooking, cleaning, manners, etc. Parents can easily include these subject areas in a homeschool curriculum to help their children become more successful as a result.
Practical life activities are essential to a successful Montessori curriculum because this is where most children develop foundational life skills critical for success and happiness.
More Family Time
Parents who want to spend more time with their children are often thwarted by excessive school attendance policies. Typical American children spend 7-8 hours in school every day. On top of that, they'll likely spend extra time doing extracurricular activities and homework.
Children who are homeschooled won't spend as much time away from their families. Oftentimes, their parents are their teachers. So familial bonding and learning can be the same thing. And, there's lots more time to pursue passions in a homeschool environment!
Ok, so what is the standard Montessori Curriculum?
The standard Montessori curriculum has five areas of learning:
- PRACTICAL LIFE - As the child observes their surroundings, Montessori education encourages respect and care of both self and the environment. Independence, self-reliance, competence, and cultivation of concentration are just a few of the benefits of integrating practical life into your Montessori homeschool.
- SENSORIAL - the Montessori Sensorial curriculum trains kids to view the world with an analytical mindset and to explore using all of their senses. Through the use of focused multi-sensory learning activities, this helps them learn to focus for longer and longer periods of time, a quality which we now call "grit." Modern research tells us that a child’s ability to develop grit is the single most reliable predictor of success in life.
- MATH - Montessori math materials instill a deep understanding of mathematics through a multi-sensory approach, by providing children with visual and tactile representations of the numbers they are working with.
- LANGUAGE - In a Montessori classroom, language arts learning is multi-sensory, meaning that children are encouraged to use their senses of touch, sight, and sound to learn language. For example, children can trace sandpaper letters with their fingers, which helps them to learn the shape and feel of the letter.
- CULTURE - Dr. Maria Montessori believed that, through the use of a properly prepared environment, independence building, and an education which focuses on the cosmos and one’s place in it, children can grow up to create a more peaceful world. The intersection of physical geography and cultural geography reveals to the child the interdependent nature of all humans, and our responsibility both to each other and to our planet. What's more - this approach to the subject matter seamlessly sets your family up for an interdisciplinary approach to learning in general.
Here at Multisori, our Montessori curriculum teaches children in seven key areas:
- Art
- Math
- Science
- Geography
- Sensorial
- Practical Life
- Language Arts
(These are all included in traditional Montessori classrooms as well, though they may not be touted as one of the "five Montessori subject areas.")
In general, our curriculum is appropriate for children ages 2.5 - 6.5. This includes preK-3, preK-4, Kindergarten and 1st grade. Our Language Arts program can benefit children as young as two and as old as nine.
Here are some brief descriptions of each of our Montessori curriculum sections:
Math Curriculum (Ages 2-6)
This curriculum uses a multi-sensory approach to give children a deep understanding of mathematics. By starting as young as 2, you can quickly establish a foundational understanding.
Art Curriculum (Ages 2-6)
The fun and exciting lessons here will keep children engaged and willing to learn. Along with learning to appreciate art, they'll learn how to create it themselves.
Sensorial Curriculum (Ages 3-6)
In this section, children will learn how to focus, will sharpen their senses, and will develop an analytical approach to learning. It incorporates fun activities like mystery bags, building and making music in your everyday routine.
Practical Life Curriculum (Ages 2-6)
This is the section where children learn self-care, cooking, and other real-world activities. While they do this, they will develop both fine and gross motor skills and experience movement-based learning.
Language Arts Curriculum (Ages 2-9)
The language skills taught here create confident and joyful readers. It also uses a research-backed multi-sensory approach that lets children move. The three parts provided in this curriculum - phonics, reading and writing - can be customized based on each child's needs.
Geography Curriculum (Ages 3-6)
The geography section focuses both on physical and cultural geography. Your child will learn using scavenger hunts and maps. They will gain an understanding of the continents. From the people to the currency and everything in between. A deep appreciation for culture is instilled.
Science Curriculum (Ages 3-6)
Fun, engaging, and multi-sensory Montessori activities and experiments will introduce children to advanced scientific topics. This section will also encourage the development of cognitive skills. This will help children prepare for a lifetime of learning and discovery.
Try Our Montessori Homeschooling Curriculum
As you can see, following a Montessori curriculum can benefit your child in several ways. If you want your child to be self-assured, independent, and to develop a lifelong love of learning, consider using the Montessori method.
Have we successfully made you interested in Montessori? If so, consider trying our complete Montessori homeschooling curriculum. It offers everything you need to get started with Montessori at home.
For a free sample, fill out your info on this page and hit "send".
