- Montessori Leaf Washing Activity (Photo from the Moveable Alphabet)
It’s that time of year. If you haven’t already decided, now is a good time to seriously consider what you want to do about your preschool child’s education in the autumn. What’s perfect for another family might not be right for you … it’s just a matter of finding what works for your unique family.
Montessori education has much to offer families with young children. Even though Montessori schools are the most visible forms of Montessori education, there are a number of great options. Here are some options to consider:
- Enrolling your child in a Montessori school.
- Creating a Montessori homeschool classroom or space for your child.
- Using Montessori principles at home (which can work well for children in any type of school or home environment).
Enrolling Your Child in a Montessori School
If you’re interested in a Montessori preschool for your child, here are two helpful YouTube videos on choosing a Montessori preschool:
Here’s a helpful post: Brief Answers to Questions Parents Often Ask by Tim Seldin and Paul Epstein at The Montessori Foundation.
If you’d like to know more about the Montessori method and see it in action, I have lots of posts with YouTube videos showing ideas from Montessori Schools.
Creating a Montessori Homeschool Classroom or Space for Your Child
For many families, a complete Montessori classroom or a small Montessori space in the house is the ideal solution. My son experienced my Montessori preschool and Montessori homeschool. He loved both, and they were both perfect for their time. My daughter was always homeschooled until college. She loved Montessori homeschool, and homeschooling was the perfect solution for her education through high school.
If you would like to use Montessori education in your homeschool, here are some articles to look at:
How to Set Up a Montessori Preschool Classroom at Home
How to Use Montessori at Home from Montessori Print Shop
How to Set Up a Montessori Homeschool Environment for Preschool by Andrea Coventry at Bright Hub
My Montessori Homeschool Classroom and Materials category has many posts about setting up a homeschool classroom or space.
UPDATE with additional posts from my blog:
How to Set Up a Montessori Space at Home
How to Set Up a Montessori Homeschool Classroom
Using Montessori Principles at Home
Montessori principles are wonderful to use at home regardless of your child’s school situation. You’re probably already using some of them.
My Top 10 Montessori Principles for Natural Learning lists Montessori principles you can use at home whether or not you have specific Montessori materials.
My Montessori principles category includes a number of posts covering basic Montessori principles that are appropriate for home or school.
My Montessori techniques category has lots of posts with specific Montessori techniques you can use to teach your child or to supplement your child’s education at home.
Often, you’ll have a feeling about what is right for your child and family. Focus on what feels right for your family … and enjoy your child’s amazing preschool years!
I'm Deb Chitwood. My header photo models are my children, Christina, at 1 1/2, my son, Will, at 3, and Christina again at 16. Christina is now 22, and Will is 27. Please see the 
Thank you ! What a great list of resources!
kt moxie recently posted..Happy Easter or Death to Peeps!
Thanks so much for your kind comment!
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I’m a huge fan of your blog and I just wanted to say that It’s really helped me come up with good gift advice for childcare professionals. I look forward to more great content.
Brianna Olds
CoolProducts.com Social Media Marketing Manager
Thanks so much, Brianna – what a nice thing to say!
Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Activities for Earth Day Every Day
You’re very welcome. It’s a great source. Has been helping me understand montessori for personal consideration in my future as well! Great work!
I love your blog! My sons are in a Montessori school now but I love the idea of using Montessori concepts at home – and perhaps eventually homeschooling them.
I added your site to my post “Best Homeschool Resources” on my blog. Check it out when you get a chance. Thanks!
http://dontmesswithmama.com/2011/04/27/best-homeschool-resource-links/
Thanks for your kind words, Tracey – and thanks so much for adding me to your list! Your “Best Homeschool Resources” is a great idea! I’m honored to be included!
Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Activities for Earth Day Every Day
Stopping from Mom Loop! I love learning more about the idea and tasks. JDaniel really seems to enjoy them.
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Thanks so much! I think children really feel fulfilled when they learn new skills through Montessori activities such as the practical life activities.
Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Spanish Activities
Thank you so much for the great information. I am really struggling with this decision right now. I’m not sure whether I should enroll my daughter in a Montessori preschool or continue to try to provide Montessori activities at home. I have a new baby in the house so I have had a hard time providing activities and time with them but the teachers at the Montessori schools in my area have very different beliefs and values than I do. The schools are beautiful and they seem like fantastic Montessori teachers but their personal belief system is very New Agey and I don’t share those beliefs. Having taught preschool children in a Montessori environment, is this something that I should be concerned about? How much does the value system of the teacher get transferred to the kids?
Thanks for your comment, Natalie! I generally haven’t seen problems with Montessori teachers transferring their personal beliefs to their preschool students. Even when yoga or relaxation is taught, it’s usually just taught as exercises or ways to feel relaxed. I know lots of Christians who use yoga in that way. If they teach yoga, etc., at the school, you could just talk opening with the teachers about your concerns. I’m hoping there wouldn’t be any problems, but you should be able to find out by having a conversation with the teachers. Good luck – and let me know what happens!
Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Spanish Activities
see deb, we didnt have money for Montessori nor did i know about it, if you think about it though, (kind of) her being home and given learning materials that she chose for herself to do on her own, was KIND of the same basic principal. but I liked that she wasnt in pre-school, i know this sounds horrid, but I feared she would pick up on other children’s bad behaviors, we lived in a low income area back then. Well, except for I didn’t have Montessori materials, and a lot of the time she wa son the computer (the child was installing programs and surfing the web at age 3 , no seriously, shed get her toys and type their names into google by matching letters.. it was quite funny actually) anyway, i still have not decided what I want to do. The transition will be frustrating for me, her, and the teacher, she doesnt know how to be quiet, and even though she is extremely bright, she doesnt take instruction well, and cries EVERY time she cant do something, like every morning crying bc she cant get her foot in her sneaker, and then crying bc she cannot tie it, these behaviors make me question is she is truly a good candidate for Montessori…
~Casey Colette
http://1caseycolette.blogspot.com/2011/05/montessori-schools-whats-your-opinion.html
Thanks for your comment, Casey! It’s definitely a tough decision. I know that good Montessori schools are fantastic for gifted kids. Whatever you decide to do, you might like to try adding a practical life area to your home for the summer. Here’s my main post, although I have a category of practical life posts and Activity of the Week posts that would have activities that are helpful as well. http://livingmontessorinow.com/2010/08/16/montessori-practical-life-activities/.
Practical life activities really help children develop order, concentration, coordination, and independence. Even though they’re best emphasized during the preschool years, you could focus on activities that are appropriate for your daughter’s age. That should help her adapt more easily to a Montessori school – and will help her develop positive work traits for any school situation. Wishing you the best in finding the right fit for your daughter!
Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Spanish Activities