Can Montessori Be Taught Online? Best At-Home Learning Options

The Montessori Method of Education is a century-old pedagogical tool that promotes children’s optimum holistic development. 

This auto-didactic method of education provides children with specifically designed Montessori Materials and Montessori Activities

These specifically designed materials encourage children to perform self-directed activities that facilitate sensorial, physical, cognitive, and academic development in children. 

The Montessori Method of education has been widely accepted around the globe for promoting the development of young minds. 

With unique concepts such as The Absorbent Mind, Sensitive periods, and a specifically designed Prepared Environment children are set up for success. 

In the contemporary world, the Montessori Method of education has become a highly recognized and reputed pedagogical due to its efficiency and effectiveness. 

Although regarded as hands-on learning or a collaborative approach, the Montessori Method of education can also be utilized in the child’s home environment. 

Yes, it is true the principles of Montessori education can be established in the comfort of your home. 

There are myriad tools available online that help parents introduce several Montessori principles, Montessori Values, and Montessori Concepts in the home environment. 

If you are a parent who wants to incorporate Montessori values at home, look no further. 

Here are some tips and tricks to help you establish a Montessori Homeschooling approach effectively.

What are the 10 chief Montessori Principles?

The Montessori Method of education is a unique pedagogical tool developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the year 1907. 

The Montessori Method of education provides the child with a flexible curriculum, freedom to explore, and an individualized curriculum that closely resembles Homeschooling programs.

Learn more: https://mymontessorimoments.com/montessori-principles/ 

It is important to recognize the chief Montessori principles to effectively facilitate Montessori activities and provide the child with an appropriate Montessori environment. 

1. Principle of Absorbent Mind: 

According to Dr. Maria Montessori, the first six years of a child’s life are the crucial period for growth and development.

The mind of the child during the first six years is “absorbent” and receptive to sensorial stimulation. The child during this stage is likely to absorb the information from the surroundings. 

It is important to focus on stimuli that develop the child’s understanding of culture, knowledge, and the world.

2. Principle of Respecting the Child: 

It is important to be considerate of every child’s uniqueness and individual needs. The teacher should act as a guide and provide children with an appropriate environment and materials to unfold their inner potential. 

The teacher should be respectful towards the children during the education process. 

3. Principle of Individual development: 

Every child has different skill sets and unique ways to exhibit their inner potentialities. Montessori schools understand this and provide individualized learning activities and curricula for children to learn at their own pace.

4. Principle of Intrinsic rewarding and non-punishing system: 

Dr. Maria Montessori was a firm believer in learning by experience. According to her, no rewards or punishments should be used to force the process of learning. The child should be intrinsically motivated to work on their own. 

5. Principle of Sensitive Period: 

According to Dr. Montessori, there are specific stages that the child passes through during the development process.

In these stages of development, the child can show signs of intense concentration, commitment, focus, and repetition.

The child becomes more susceptible to learning specific skills and information during the specific stages of development. 

These stages of intense focus and concentration were termed “Sensitive Periods”. 

6. Principle of Auto learning: 

Dr. Montessori believed that children have the capability of self-directed learning. Auto-education is implemented for learners when they are left free to learn and exert efforts by themselves.  

7. Principle of Prepared Environment:

The Montessori classroom is a prepared environment where children can participate in activities of their choice. 

The prepared environment of the Montessori classroom provides materials for activities and new and exciting experiences for the children. 

The prepared environment in the classroom develops a sense of order and structure during the learning process. 

8. Principle of Sensory training: 

It is important for young children to learn through their senses. According to Maria Montessori sensory training is essential for the learning process. 

The pupils learn better when they are given the opportunity to feel, see, hear, touch, smell, and taste.

Learn more about sensory development: https://mymontessorimoments.com/sensory-development-in-children/

9. Principle of Motor training: 

Maria Montessori believed that motor activities played an important role in the education of the child. 

The curriculum involves a series of physical activities, exercises, and kinesthetics that help in the development of muscles and improves muscle memory.  

These exercises and activities help with the development of fine motor skills and gross motor skills in children. 

10. Principle of Development from within: 

Children in Montessori schools become educated on the basis of their own natural curiosity. 

The school should provide children with an appropriate environment and materials to unfold their inner potential.

Parenting the Montessori Way:

It is important to understand that the Montessori Method of education is more than just an educational philosophy, it is a lifestyle choice. 

The success and development of the child in a Montessori Homeschooling Environment depend on the support and efforts put in by the entire family. 

In accordance with the 10 principles of the Montessori Method of education, parents can provide their children with the best learning environment. 

To clear your confusion and help you provide your child with an environment for their optimum holistic development, here are 10 things to remember when parenting the Montessori Way:

1. Pace yourself:

As a parent, it is best to slow down and allow your child to develop according to their own pace. 

Pace yourself and promote the child to explore the surrounding environment, interact with new objects, and build new relationships by interacting with others.

2. Respect for the child:

Discipline from within and respect are developed in children when parents recognize the child’s individual needs and requirements. 

As a parent, it is important to treat the child with mutual respect, listen to their problems, and solve their queries. 

3. Coordinate:

The Montessori Method of education promotes children to develop and become seekers of knowledge. 

As a parent, you must identify what motivates your child and provide them with the appropriate educational materials and activities. 

4. Hands-on approach:

One of the cornerstones of Montessori Philosophy is the unique and specifically designed Montessori Materials

These materials promote children to engage their senses and indulge in activities to gain in-depth knowledge of complex and abstract concepts. 

5. Introduce practical life education:

Practical Life activities such as dressing themselves, cleaning their room, or washing the dishes help children develop respect for their surrounding environment.

Parents must encourage children to participate in daily chores like food preparation or laundry to help them become self-reliant from a very young age.

6. Look at the work from the child’s perspective:

In order to identify the problems or obstacles faced by children, it is important to look at the world from the child’s perspective.

By understanding the child’s understanding of the world parents can understand their emotional and behavioral cues. 

7. Find substitutes for rewards and punishments:

Intrinsic rewarding and no rewards or punishments are integral aspects of Montessori Philosophy. 

Parents must allow the child to face natural consequences without any extrinsic motivators or punishments. 

8. Become the guide:

As a parent or an educator, you are the guide who promotes the child to explore the world for information instead of becoming the course of the information yourself. 

As a parent, you must help the child as much as you can to achieve desired results without directly interfering in their educational process. 

9. Set an example: 

You are your child’s role model, as a parent, you must conduct yourself with a calm demeanor and should always be patient regardless of the circumstances. 

10. Observe and direct:

It is important to observe and recognize each and every aspect of the child’s development process. 

You must observe the way the child moves around, communicates, perform activities, interact with materials, and sleep.

The Montessori Homeschooling Environment:

For vigilant and attentive parents, The Montessori homeschooling environment provides the child with all the right tools that set them up for success. 

The Montessori Homeschool environment is highly beneficial for children during the early stages of development. 

Montessori Homeschool Environment incorporates valuable Montessori materials that promote children to achieve age-appropriate faster than in traditional educational institutions. 

The educational environment of a Montessori Homeschool Classroom is neutral, minimalistic, and free of unnecessary stimuli. 

The Montessori Homeschool Environment acts as a bridge that helps reinforce the knowledge the child learns in school. 

Before starting the journey of Montessori parenting it is important for parents to do the required research and reading to fully equip themselves for executing the Prepared Environment at home.

Parents don’t have to bring every material or apparatus of the Montessori Classroom at home. 

Parents should invest their money in the materials and furniture they deem useful for their children. 

When preparing for the Montessori Homeschool Environment one requires more than just materials, the parents have to be devoted, patient, resistant, and reliable for the learning process.

Looking for Homeschool Classroom Ideas? Check this out: https://mymontessorimoments.com/homeschool-classroom-ideas/

Setting up your own Montessori Homeschool Environment:

Setting an educational environment for your child can be quite intimidating and perplexing especially when one does not know where to start. 

Here are some tips and tricks to help you create a homeschooling environment aligned with Montessori principles:

1. Accessible:

Any piece of furniture in a Montessori Environment should be child-sized to promote accessibility and avoid intimidating the child. 

You can incorporate child-sized tables and chairs in the child’s homeschool environment. 

2. Minimal:

Unlike a traditional educational environment that incorporates flashy posters or overstimulating toys, the Montessori Method of education takes a more minimal approach. 

The materials, furniture, and decorations in a Montessori Homeschooling Environment should be minimal as well as made from naturally sourced substances. 

3. Neutral:

The Furniture in your Montessori Homeschooling Environment should be neutral in terms of color. 

The Materials and furniture should be manufactured from wood or steel and must fashion neutral tones such as brown or beige to avoid overstimulating the child. 

The lighting should be warm, natural, and comforting to help the child be tranquil throughout their learning process. 

4. Organized:

The Montessori Method of education is clean, clutter-free, systematic, and definitely organized. 

You can utilize containers, storage bins, and Montessori Shelves to systematically organize your child’s Montessori Materials and Montessori Toys.

5. Open and Free:

Provide your child with an open space to freely explore their surrounding environment without any obstacles. 

The Montessori Materials and Toys should be placed close to the child’s reach to foster qualities of independence as well as self-reliance.

Online Montessori Education:

The Covid-19 Pandemic has changed the world of education almost completely, due to social distancing the concept of distance education has also become an irreplaceable aspect of our lives. 

Like any other educational program, the Montessori Method of education has also been affected by the pandemic. 

Although a hands-on learning approach, the Montessori Method of education and its core principles allow parents to effortlessly facilitate holistic education in children. 

Several Montessori Online educational programs promote children to practice Montessori Activities without the use of Montessori Materials. 

Not only do these Montessori Online Programs materials provide parents with a modified Montessori Curriculum that can be taught with the help of basic materials, but it also provides the parents with guidelines to set up an at-home Montessori environment for their child. 

Although unconventional, the main aim of Montessori Online Programs is to provide children with a high-quality education from the comfort of their homes, they also have their own shortcomings. 

Firstly when studying from the online Montessori Program students are provided with online videos that often lead to the child streaming these videos online instead of actually participating in Montessori activities

It can also be difficult for parents to provide the child with the right home environment and eliminate all the distractions, like in a Montessori School Environment. 

Lastly, the lack of social interactions and interactions with the teachers can become a hindrance in the education process for the child. 

Regardless, if you are a parent who wants to take complete control over their child’s education, Montessori Online programs are meant for you. 

Montessori Online Programs are the best way to reinforce Montessori Curriculum when there are no Montessori Schools nearby. 

Best Online Montessori Programs for your Child:

If you are in search of Montessori Online Programs, don’t worry there are a plethora of Montessori Online Programs that encourage parents to facilitate Montessori Activities in the comfort of their homes. 

Whether it is supplementary or homeschooling, you can always find something for someone

Here is a list of the best Montessori Online Educational Programs that will provide your child with the best learning environment in the comfort of your home:

1. Learn and Play Montessori School: 

Refer to: https://www.learnandplaymontessori.com/online-learning/ 

The Learn and Play Montessori School is an Online Montessori Education program that promotes children between the ages of 3 to 6 years and provides them with a strong foundation during their kindergarten level. 

The Learn and Play Montessori School provides students with the educational tools and support they need to achieve academic excellence. 

The Learn and Play Montessori School also provides parents with the right tools to facilitate Montessori Activities in their home environment. 

The one-time fee for Learn and Play Montessori Schools is 50$ when including the online zoom streaming calls the costs can raise up 545 $. 

2. Guidepost Montessori Virtual School:

Refer to; https://legacy.guidepostmontessori.com/virtual-school 

The Guidepost Montessori Virtual School is an online Montessori Educational program. 

This educational program provides children with educational guides, and guidelines for Montessori activities, and teaches the child the use of Montessori materials that are regularly shipped to the home. 

This Montessori online Program is targeted toward children between kindergarten to 6th grade. The Guidepost Montessori Virtual School provides students with two options: either the parents can opt for teaching guides or teachers to take classes online.

The full-time enrolment cost for this Montessori online Program is 750$ for children below the age of 7 and 1200$ for children in the elementary levels.

The prices and costs include everything a child needs including Montessori Materials and online classes.  

3. Trillium Montessori Homeschool:

Learn more: https://courses.trilliummontessori.org/ 

Are you searching for an online Montessori Homeschooling program that provides you with the right steps to become an efficient homeschool teacher? The Trillium Montessori Homeschool is an online Montessori Homeschooling program meant for children between the ages of 0 to 12 years. 

The Trillium Montessori Homeschool program incorporates three courses meant for infants-toddlers (0 to3 years), primary (3 to 6 years), and elementary (6 to 12 years) stages. 

This educational program provides parents with guidebooks and instructions to effectively facilitate Montessori Activities, organize an appropriate Montessori Environment for the child, and teach the child the Montessori way. 

The average cost of the course is about 190$ for parents to learn about the Montessori Teaching Methods and ask questions to clear their queries. 

The course does not incorporate any Montessori Materials therefore parents must purchase their own Montessori Materials, but with the help of guidebooks, parents will know exactly what they need to buy. 

4. Lotus Montessori Academy:

Learn more: https://wildflowerschools.org/ma/lotusmontessori/distancelearning/ 

Lastly, the Lotus Montessori Academy Distance learning program is a great program for children between preschool and elementary. 

Not only does this Montessori Homeschooling program provide tools for the child’s cognitive, physical, and academic development but also provides a diverse range of curricula for their social, emotional, as well as cultural development.

The cost of the Lotus Montessori Academy distance learning homeschooling program varies based on the parents’ pay scale. 

Depending on the course of choosing the online program offers instructions, training, materials, and support starting from 700$ to 900$ a month. 

Are Montessori Online Programs meant for you and your child?

Let us face it, the concept of homeschooling is often a controversial subject for most individuals who are not fully acquainted with the approach.

When thinking about the Montessori Method one will always think of specifically designed materials, active children roaming around, in the classroom, and a systematically arranged environment.

Montessori Online programs are a great option for parents who want to have absolute control over their child’s development process.

These Online educational programs not only help parents to effortlessly incorporate Montessori principles into the home environment, but they also allow parents to seamlessly facilitate their child’s holistic development from the comfort of their home.

Montessori Online educational programs are a great option for vigilant parents who are determined to provide their children with an educational environment that promotes optimum development.

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