Montessori Kindergarten Homeschool

It’s a Monday morning, and you’re the only adult on your street who hasn’t braved the winter weather to put your child on the school bus. As you listen to your child diligently reading her library books, you realize she’s in another sensitive period, this time with reading. She’s so excited to finally read on her own. Most days, she spends hours in her cozy reading nook with her nose in a book. In moments like these, you feel a deep appreciation for Montessori kindergarten homeschool.

In a traditional kindergarten setting, your daughter wouldn’t have the time to develop her reading comprehension so thoroughly. Since she doesn’t have to spend the day transitioning between subjects, your daughter can instead focus on the subjects that most interest her — in this case, reading. Your child can read to her heart’s content, which will give her the ability to acquire deep focus and concentration. Those are rare gifts in a world of constant busyness and distractions.

Montessori kindergarten homeschool offers families the best of both worlds. Children can receive the benefits of Montessori education, like the opportunity to guide their own learning and development, alongside the benefits of homeschool. Parents can feel confident about their educational approach without the price tag of a private Montessori school.

Montessori Kindergarten Homeschool and the Reasoning Mind Stage

Maria Montessori coined four planes of development that children must pass through before they reach maturity. The first plane is the absorbent mind stage, in which children need sensory materials to help them concretely understand a concept. At the age of around 6 years old, however, children begin to transition into the reasoning mind stage. This stage lasts from about 6 to 12 years old and is generally when children begin to grasp abstract concepts. However, no two children are exactly alike. While one child might be able to deal well with conceptualized reasoning involved in a standardized test, for instance, another child might not be developmentally ready to do so.

Montessori kindergarten homeschool allows for children to pursue knowledge on their own terms through child-directed learning. Traditional schools tend to follow a strict schedule that doesn’t allow time for a child-centered approach to learning. Instead of trying to fit the child into the school system, the Montessori philosophy structures the learning around the child. Children who have reached the reasoning mind stage have the flexibility to explore subjects and learning styles. As a result, they are actively involved in their education.

Maria Montessori and a Cosmic Education

If you haven’t heard the term cosmic education, it might sound a little strange. Dr. Montessori used this term to communicate that all subjects are interconnected. Even though all subjects hold relevance, you can’t force a child to like a subject that isn’t resonating with them, and to try to do so can put them off to it.

A cosmic education allows for the child to be imaginative with their learning. Any subject that a child explores is important because it’s connected to the universe and part of the greater whole. In Montessori, children can explore math, science, cultural studies, language arts, or any other subject they find fascinating.

Why Montessori Kindergarten Homeschool Works So Well

Children are born knowing how to learn. It’s the role of the adult to prepare the environment so it doesn’t hold back a child’s natural interests, abilities, and passion for learning. Montessori gives children the freedom and the cognitive ability to do their own research on the topics that interest them. While traditional learning leans on extrinsic rewards, Montessori acknowledges that learning itself is its own intrinsic reward. Through Montessori kindergarten homeschool, you can introduce your child to a higher level of thinking. They can learn at their own pace and discover topics that interest them

The social aspect of Montessori aligns well with the idea of project-based learning, a type of learning in which children work on projects of their choosing. The project can focus on anything from building a rocket ship out of a cardboard box to creating a picture book of different animal habitats. Montessori kindergarten homeschool allows children the flexibility to engage in project-based learning even if it isn’t offered at your local public school.

You can also involve other homeschool families in your community in project-based learning. Your child may enjoy collaborating with other homeschool students on their projects. These flexible opportunities for social interaction can help children learn to practice acts of kindness toward others and work on solutions together instead of competing for the best grade.

The Importance of Practical Life Skills in Your Montessori Environment

Montessori kindergarten homeschool offers your child countless opportunities to polish their practical life skills. Practical life is a pillar of all Montessori education, but homeschool, unlike traditional school settings, allows you, as the parent, to be directly involved in this teaching.

With Montessori kindergarten homeschool, rather than focusing on rote memorization in a classroom, your child can learn real-life skills at home. For instance, since your school time is more flexible, the school day can include cooking together. You can teach your child sewing, woodworking, changing lightbulbs, gardening, you name it. These activities empower your child with independence and improve their fine motor skills, problem-solving skills, and more. Practical life activities are also a great bonding experience to share between parent and child. The Montessori By Mom Helping Hands toolbox is a great resource for homeschool families looking to work on practical life skills.

In Conclusion

Montessori kindergarten homeschool allows for children to pursue knowledge on their own terms through child-directed learning. Traditional schools have a strict schedule that doesn’t allow much room for a child-centered approach to learning. Instead of trying to fit the child into the school system, the Montessori philosophy structures the learning around the child. Children who have reached the reasoning mind stage have the flexibility to explore their own interests. As a result, they can become actively involved in their own education.