BenefitsThis method is perhaps the most questionable inclusion in this list, not because of its effectiveness. This method is well-proven as a child-friendly humanistic educational model. The problem is that Montessori schooling is often overlooked as a homeschool method. Montessori schools often incorporate lots of furniture, constructs, and tactiles, to make their classrooms inventive playgrounds for young learners. Ironically, in Maria Montessori’s own journals, she describes a planned classroom which in many ways mirrors a normal working home. In this way, the Montessori method is tailor fit for homeschooling. Nevertheless, many articles listing the different homeschool methods leave out Montessori entirely. Montessori, nevertheless, merits inclusion as a child-centered model for young learners, even if it has not reached the level of popularity as other homeschool models.Elementary: Montessori method incorporates the findings of early child psychology and thus is readily adapted for young learners, who need to touch, move, and play in the course of their learning.Special Needs friendly: Montessori method was originally implemented in treating learning disabled and mentally handicapped children. Montessori found it so effective that she replicated the model for other students as well.Genius Friendly: Most every parent thinks their child is a genius, but the Montessori method enables those students who really are extraordinary in their abilities to work at their own pace and have their curricula adapt to their particular needs and interests. This allows the gifted student to move through material faster than would have been allowed in conventional classrooms.Physical: Montessori appeals to lots of parents and teachers because of the heavy use of tactile physical interaction. Not only is this approach beneficial for children generally, but some learners may prove more gifted when employing this particular learning style. Spatial and tactile intelligence are often are downplayed in the traditional classroom, but these virtues are celebrated in Montessori schools.Highly Adaptable: Because of the relatively "hands-off" approach of the Montessori teacher, students can choose from the teacher’s list of options. And they can pursue that study interest for long blocks of time or short blocks if they so desire.Fosters Art and Creativity: Since this method facilitates decision making, emphasizes physical-tactile interaction and is very adaptable in length, young artists may find Montessori classrooms the ideal context in which to develop their masterpieces. Creativity and ingenuity are assets here.Small Class Size: Even Montessori school houses ("conventional school") prize small class sizes, so they are naturally suited to homeschool applications where parent-teachers are expected to work with only a few students at a time, and to engage generously in one-on-one instruction time with each child.DrawbacksMontessori is well-suited for many students, but it has a few drawbacks.Teaching Certification: One of the most obvious drawbacks is that Montessori is an official teaching method complete with training classes and certification. Technically, before you can call your homeschool a "Montessori" school, you would need to get certified as a Montessori instructor. That said, this problem is relatively easy to solve. Parent-teachers can just ditch the official "Montessori" label and still use Montessori principles. It’s probably still best, however, to pursue Montessori certification to make sure you are doing it right.School-House Model: The Montessori method, so far, is not common among homeschools but is primarily a private-school and sometimes public school option. In other words, it’s still largely a "school house" option, rather than a "homeschool" one. This fact wouldn’t be a problem except that it translates into limited options for resources and networking.Middle-School and High-School: This method seems to work best for younger learners and is not generally used beyond elementary school.Unstructured: This open-ended methodology can feel unstructured, non-rigorous, and unstimulating to some students who crave external challenges, competition, rules, and imposed order.Humanism: This method is modeled on a humanistic view of children.[5] If that’s not your view, or that approach doesn’t suit your student, then this model might not work for you.Montessori Education might be right for you if...You see students as blank slates and you don’t want see them fitted into "cookie-cutter" molds favored by some traditional school.You are willing to get certified in Montessori method or utilize Montessori certified teachers to train you or to share your homeschooling duties.You have a student with moderate to serious learning differences, whether "gifted and talented" or a learning handicap.You trust your student, generally, to direct his or her learning, provided there’s a little structure and a lot of freedom.You want your student to have immersive, physical, and tactile learning opportunities.
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