Whether you’re new to Montessori or have used some Montessori principles already, it’s good to prepare for the next step. How can Montessori best fit into your family? 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 Leaf Washing Activity (Photo from the Moveable Alphabet)
Montessori education has a lot 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.
- Starting or enrolling your child in a Montessori playgroup or homeschool co-op.
- 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
A year before you’d like your child to start attending a Montessori preschool is often the best time to choose and register for 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:
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 Homeschool Classroom has lots and lots of helpful resources along with examples of Montessori homeschool preschoolsl
My Montessori Homeschool Classroom and Materials category has many posts about setting up a homeschool classroom or space.
Starting a Montessori Playgroup or Montessori Homeschool Co-op
If you’d like your child to get extra social interaction while still in a home Montessori environment, consider starting or enrolling your child in a Montessori playgroup or Montessori homeschool co-op. Here are lots of resources to help you start your own.
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.
For a more complete listing of ideas at a number of levels, check out my How to Start Using Montessori at Home post.
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.
Of course, how you use Montessori is up to you. Don’t let someone intimidate you into following a set of rigid rules. Remember that How You Raise Your Kids Is YOUR Legacy.
Preparing Montessori Spaces in Your Home
See “How to Create a Montessori-Friendly Home” for ideas for a number of levels. Here are some of my main home environment posts here:
- How to Prepare a Montessori Baby Room at Home (roundup post)
- How to Prepare a Montessori Toddler Environment at Home (roundup post)
- Preparing a Montessori Newborn Baby Space at Home
- How to Use Montessori Mobiles to Encourage a Newborn Baby’s Development and Delight
- Preparing a Montessori Baby Space with Shelves at Home
- Preparing a Montessori Baby Space in Your Living Room
- Preparing a Montessori Baby-Toddler Space at Home
- Preparing Montessori Toddler Spaces at Home (includes my Montessori toilet learning setup)
- How to Prepare Montessori Shelves for a 2 Year Old
- How to Prepare Montessori Shelves for a 2½ Year Old
- How to Prepare Montessori Shelves for a 3 Year Old
- How to Prepare Montessori Shelves for a 3½ Year Old
- How to Prepare Montessori Shelves for a 4 Year Old
- How to Prepare Montessori Shelves for a 4½ Year Old
- How to Prepare Montessori Shelves for a 5 Year Old
- How to Prepare Themed Montessori Shelves
- How to Prepare a Montessori Home Environment for Afterschooling
- Create an Attractive Home Environment from Montessori at Home!
- How to Set Up a Montessori Homeschool Classroom
- How to Prepare Montessori Homeschool Spaces for Babies through First Graders
- How to Prepare a Montessori Space in Your Living Room for Toddlers Through Early Elementary
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 early years!
Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!
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Background Photo for cover image from Wikimedia Commons.
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
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. https://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!
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!
I love learning more about the idea and tasks. JDaniel really seems to enjoy them.
Thanks so much! I think children really feel fulfilled when they learn new skills through Montessori activities such as the practical life activities. 🙂
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!
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!