4Real Forums: Why should I consider Montessori

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Nurturing the Years of Wonder
4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder

Topic: Why should I consider Montessori

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teachingmyown
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Posted: Aug 26 2007 at 10:14pm \| IP Logged

For months now, as this Montessori forum has gotten busier, I have watched from the outside with detached interest, or lack of interest. I haven't read the posts and really felt that Montessori was not the path for us. I am not quite a hands-on person, and in my home, hands-on usually ends up clutter.

But... as I posted on Chari's thread on being tired of homeschooling in the St Anne's forum, I am completely unmotivated to homeschool this year. As I have spent time pondering it tonight, wondering what could spark a new fire, I ended up here at the Montessori forum.

There are so many pages of posts that I don't even know where to start. So, I thought I would start my own thread. What I am looking for is a basic explanation of Montessori and the why and how of it.

Is this the direction to go for someone who is burned out, but also overwhelmed by managing a large family? Would it be ridiculous for someone like me (disorganized and low energy) to embark on something that seems so time-consuming, space-consuming and financially-consuming as Montessori looks to my uninformed eye?

Most of my kids are still really young (11, 9, 7, 5, 4 and 16months), we are in desperate need of some fresh ideas or motivation. But is this the way to go?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. I have a bad habit of jumping into things on a whim. Some sound instruction and advice are most welcome.

Thanks!

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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today

lapazfarm
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Posted: Aug 26 2007 at 10:52pm \| IP Logged

Ok. No tomatoes ladies, but IMHO, this may not be the best time for you to try to implement Montessori. Perhaps to begin learning, but not to implement.
Let me try to explain.
At least for me, Montessori has a huge, steep learning curve. It has taken me the better part of the year of solid research and trial and error to get what I consider a decent grasp on it, and even after that I still get overwhelmed and have to take things a small chunk at a time.
I have been able to devote all of this time and energy because I honestly have it easy compared to most of the other ladies here. I have two kids who are a breeze to teach and no babies in the house. If I still had my 2 grandsons here with me I doubt I'd be where I am right now with it. If I were overwhelmed with a large family-no way could I do it. At least not without a lot more time to prepare.
Now, that being said, there are other folks out there who likely learn faster than I do, or feel like they can jump right in and start small without a full grasp of the big picture.And perhaps you are one of those. But not me.
So, what I mean by all of this is that if you are interested in Montessori methods then go ahead and by all means start reading and researching and asking questions. I think it is an amazing way to teach and learn and am SO VERY glad to have discovered it. But my advice (for what it is worth) is to not plan on implementing (except perhaps for a few simple practical life activities for the little one) until you've given it some time to sink in and make sense, perhaps even until next year. The last thing you need is something else to overwhelm you.
Take a year to do lots of read-alouds and nature study and art, snuggle with your babies and re-charge your Mommy energy by reading lots of really good books on Montessori. Then next year perhaps you will be ready to charge full steam ahead into the Montessori method.

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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
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teachingmyown
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Posted: Aug 27 2007 at 9:36am \| IP Logged

Thanks Theresa! That was really my gut feeling, but I am grasping at straws here. I want to make things interesting and relevant for the little ones, but making myself crazy (or crazier!) would not benefit them.

I will take your advice and spend some time doing research. Maybe even just the reading of new ideas will be enough to freshen things up. What one or two books would you recommend I begin with?

Thanks so much!

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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today

Meredith
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Posted: Aug 27 2007 at 9:52am \| IP Logged

Molly I was going to give you the SAME exact advice that Theresa did

I am so glad you are here exploring new ideas and I read your post in St. Anne's and I can see where you might not want to have this *burden* right now.

Montessori will be a full immersion of yourself at least in the very beginning and there is ALOT of preparation up front that pays big dividends in the long run, but to tell you the truth, had I not had the entire summer to prepare our materials and environment I wouldn't attempt it this cliose to beginning a new school year. It is a work in progress for me and I've got a really good jump on it, but that was part of the progression for us and as Theresa said, it was over time for me with LOTS of reading, research, talking with Montessori companies about materials etc. and of course learning right along with all these lovely ladies here on the fourms

For what it's worth, here is my Conference Talk with links and handouts included. If you are most interested in incorporating Montessori for you your little ones to start, I would recommend Teaching Montessori in the Home by Elizabth Hainstock and also How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way by Tim Sedin. These are very gentle wonderful books about Montessori!!

Visit us often here and please ask any questions, we're there to hel

Blessings in your new year and your journey ahead!

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Meredith
Mom of 4 Sweeties
Sweetness and Light

dawn2006
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Joined: Aug 07 2007
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Posted: Aug 27 2007 at 3:11pm \| IP Logged

Hi, Molly! I just read this the other day and thought you might be interested in the first few paragraphs. The author basically suggests a gradual incorporation of Montessori into your existing curriculum. HTH!

http://www.jmjpublishing.com/FAQ.htm

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Dawn Farias | wife to Ariel | mom to Gabriel 9, Daniel 7, Elizabeth 5, and Michael 3 | blogger at Be Absorbed | native Texan but currently living near Seattle

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