If you're considering implementing Montessori homeschooling, but you're not sure which Montessori homeschool curriculum is the best, you're in the right place.
It can be intimidating at first, the idea of homeschooling Montessori-style. There are some great courses available, though.
Some of the curricula on my list you may have heard of already, and some of it will be brand new to you.
I'll give you an explanation of each course, though, so you can decide which one is right for you.
Let's get right to it.
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Can you homeschool using the Montessori Method?
When you think about Montessori, images of neatly put-together trays and shelves may come to mind.
You might be thinking of a child working intently at a Practical Life activity they've selected themselves.
Or maybe you are imagining children working together on a floor mat with a Montessori geography material.
It's hard to imagine Montessori work right in your home, especially without all the materials.
It can be done, though. It is 100% possible to homeschool your child using the Montessori Method.
The most important thing to remember when implementing any Montessori homeschooling curriculum is that Montessori at home does not resemble Montessori at school.
If you go into your Montessori homeschooling journey with the expectation that your home will function as a classroom, you're setting yourself up for frustration for both you and your child.
What is Montessori homeschool curriculum?
A Homeschool curriculum that follows the Montessori Method is child-led curriculum with hands-on learning materials.
Children will work with manipulatives at first, then progress onto more abstract work.
Children who are taught using a Montessori homeschool curriculum are not rushed in their learning, nor are they discouraged from progressing quickly through the materials, provided they're using them appropriately and are truly ready to move on.
How do I start Montessori homeschooling?
Check state regulations
The first thing you need to do before you start any homeschooling method is to check your state's homeschooling guidelines.
While this may not matter much for the preschool years, some states require that children prove they've learned certain things by certain ages starting in the elementary years.
Implementing Montessori in a state that requires standardized testing for homeschoolers is still very possible, but you may need to do some test preparation here and there.
Prepare yourself
If you've already decided that Montessori homeschooling is right for you, the next step is to prepare yourself a bit.
There are some books you should familiarize yourself with before you start your Montessori homeschooling journey.
There are so many books written by Dr. Montessori herself and written by others on the Method.
These are just a few suggestions to get you started.
The purpose of this pre-homeschooling reading is to familiarize yourself with some of the basic tenets of the Method.
Having a solid understanding of Montessori will also help you better choose your Montessori homeschool curriculum.
Prepare your home
No matter which curriculum you choose for your homeschooling journey, your home needs to be prepared for a Montessori child.
In a classroom setting, a prepared environment is a room with small furniture and low shelving – a place where a child can move around freely, choosing the work they'd like.
At home, a prepared environment is a home where a child has as much access as possible to the spaces and items they need to go about their days as independently as possible.
This could mean that your child will have a stool they can carry from place to place that gives them access to sinks and closets.
Or it could mean that closets are modified to suit the needs of a small child and washbowls are set on low tables to replicate the function of sinks.
When you set up your house for Montessori homeschooling, put yourself at your child's eye level and try to come up with ways to facilitate independence at their height/ability level.
Choose the curriculum
There are lots of different Montessori courses to choose from. The one that fits your life, personality, and teaching style is the one that's best for you.
You'll need to take your child's personality, abilities, and temperament and your family's general attitudes toward education into consideration, as well.
Will your day be structured or would you like to take a “find learning everywhere” approach to homeschooling?
Does your child need to learn in short bursts throughout the day or will they be able to engage in lengthy lessons?
These are some of the things you need to consider when choosing your Montessori homeschool curriculum.
When you've selected the curriculum that's right for your family, you simply need to follow along with the general timeline and complete the activities – and enjoy yourself.
Enjoyment should be a big part of your Montessori homeschooling experience, for both you and your child.
Below, I have a list of some great Montessori curriculum sources. However, I have written out many Montessori lessons on my website, as well, for those who don't want to spend any money.
Here are the categories – the 5 learning areas. Feel free to browse and ask any questions you have.
What age is best to start Montessori homeschooling?
You can start implementing the basic Montessori tenets right from birth.
For formal lessons, it's best to wait till your child is preschool age, and then the lessons should be kept short and pleasant.
If your child resists even the most pleasant and brief lesson, they may not be ready or the issue might be with your approach.
It's easy to become anxious that your child isn't learning fast enough and inadvertently put too much pressure on them to perform.
As I said before, homeschooling should be an overall enjoyable experience for both you and your child.
If you wait till your child is ready to learn something, it will be so much easier to teach them.
Montessori homeschool curriculum: top 5 picks
Child of the Redwoods
Child of the Redwoods is one of the best and most popular Montessori homeschooling courses.
With this curriculum, your child will get a thorough, hands-on education – the Montessori homeschooling experience you are probably expecting going into this.
And support – Child of the Redwoods is big on offering homeschooling support.
The creator of these courses (there is more than one to choose from) is well-known and highly respected in the Montessori community.
Child of the Redwoods has some of the most affordable Montessori homeschool curriculum options, especially considering what you get for your money.
NAMC
While there's some debate over whether or not NAMC (North American Montessori Center) is a good place to get Montessori teacher training, their homeschooling program is overwhelmingly touted as being excellent.
With this curriculum, you'll not only learn how to present lessons and materials, some of which are included, but you'll learn the theory behind Montessori so you can implement it more thoroughly.
You'll get 6 books, some important Montessori materials, and hundreds of pages of printables, templates, and mastery checklists.
Montessori by Mom
Montessori by Mom got the homeschooling curriculum right with their themed curriculum boxes.
There are so many parents who go into Montessori homeschooling with no idea where to start.
These themed boxes are perfect for parents who have started Montessori but are a bit lost on what type of activities to introduce to their child.
The boxes are delivered right to your home and there are so many different ways you can expand on each theme.
Shiller Learning
Shiller Learning is a very thorough Montessori homeschool curriculum.
Shiller Learning shines with its math kit, however, the areas of Practical Life and language arts are covered, as well.
Shiller Learning combines authentic-style Montessori materials and lessons with non-authentic, but Montessori-aligned, materials, and lessons for a fun and hands-on learning experience.
The digital materials are easy to use and, overall, it's just a really great curriculum.
Guidepost
Guidepost Montessori offers one of the most comprehensive and professionally done Montessori homeschool curriculums you will find.
Guidepost gives you different tier options for your curriculum. They have a monthly subscription, a plan that includes materials, and a plan that includes extracurriculars like cooking and Spanish.
The Guidepost curriculum is sequenced, so you're not left guessing when to introduce each lesson to your child.
There's also mentorship and community support offered with your curriculum purchase.
I hope you and your child enjoy your Montessori homeschooling journey.
It won't be without its challenges, but when you've got a good grasp of what Montessori is and you've invested in a good Montessori homeschool curriculum, you should be in pretty good shape.
Cheers and don't forget to subscribe!