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JaysFamily
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| Posted: Jan 04 2011 at 10:49pm | IP Logged
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I am so torn! I love what I've seen of both of these methods. I've seen some basic aspects of both methods spark a love of "doing school" in my 4 yr old. He is learning to love being read to from living books, but he loves our Montessori materials as well. If you love both of these methods, how did you choose between them, or blend them without ruining the philosophy of each method?
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In Christ,
Jaysfamily
wife to Jay
mother to DS(5)
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Jan 05 2011 at 6:44am | IP Logged
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I have always found that they "blend" very well. When my dc were younger, I combined the hands-on of Montessori with all the great living books from CM. They loved it!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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SusanMc
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| Posted: Jan 05 2011 at 8:48am | IP Logged
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Yep. We do both around here. Basically Montessori-styled activities plus books. For example, our child-led Montessori-styled nature walks are supplemented by field guides/picture books and drawing what we saw later on (CM journaling pre-school styled!)
While I find reading the philosophy is essential to getting started in these two methods, I have to resist getting so cerebral about philosophy that I actually avoid DOING the activities themselves. I really try to work at a 10:1 ratio. 10 times as many activities and implementation to 1 part researching/blog reading ideas and methodology.
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Jan 05 2011 at 9:30am | IP Logged
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We enjoy a happy meshing of both philosophies here! 
I love Susan's explanation above! Especially this:
SusanMc wrote:
| I have to resist getting so cerebral about philosophy that I actually avoid DOING the activities themselves. |
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I enjoy reading about both of these philosophies, though I find our primary family educational philosophy lies primarily within CM's vision and methods. If you read CM and MM long enough and deep enough you will find contradictions. You'll also find each of them making pointed references toward each other (in negative ways). It's enjoyable to find the differences, but when the rubber hits the road I've gotta LIGHTEN UP (Susan's wording is much better --> resist getting so cerebral) and use each philosophy in a way that is complementary, and they can be quite complementary!
What I enjoy about Montessori methods are:
** Providing purposeful work for the child
** Exposing a child to attractive materials that invite interaction/relationship
** It teaches/taught me to step back and really observe and brainstorm - one of the greatest gifts for me which I treasure and draw on all the time!
** It fosters a clear understanding of concrete concepts before moving toward abstract.
** Nurtures a child's sense of exploration and wonder through objects, things, materials :: the concrete world.
** ...and more, but I'm rushing this morning!
What I enjoy about Charlotte Mason methods are:
** The respect for the child as a person
** The relationship it fosters between child/author of living book
** The fostering and building of a Christian imagination through noble and worthy thoughts and ideas exposed liberally over time.
** The simplicity and straightforward methods are freeing
** The encouragement and importance placed on cultivation of good habits
** It fosters self-education (not to be misunderstood with giving the child the reigns of his/her education)
** ...and so much more!
I am no doubt taking a few liberties, but after a number of years I have come to the conclusion that the home environment is one of the most perfect environments for blending Montessori and CM because of this statement of Charlotte Mason's (from her 20 principles of education):
Quote:
| 6. When we say that "education is an atmosphere," we do not mean that a child should be isolated in what may be called a 'child-environment' especially adapted and prepared, but that we should take into account the educational value of his natural home atmosphere, both as regards persons and things, and should let him live freely among his proper conditions. It stultifies a child to bring down his world to the child's' level. |
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Some would read that and decide that this statement effectively eliminates a harmonious blending of Montessori ideas and methods in a Charlotte Mason home. I would respectfully disagree. A home environment, with thoughtfully placed activities, play materials and purposeful work set about in an attractive manner which invites exploration is in my opinion a lovely home atmosphere. From there, we include rich, living books that nurture the imagination! I observe and keep offerings fresh, reasonable and as inviting as I can. Further, we continue to live, work and learn in the natural spaces and duties of our home during the day = living learning. It's a harmonious blend in our home that works well for us.
The only caution I would offer would be not to get caught up in the specific materials of the Montessori methods. Many of the materials are quite wonderful, and I don't mean to dismiss their value. However, unlike the CM method, which offers principles and methods and allows you to choose vehicles through various living books and things, the Montessori method prescribes particular, specific materials to be used in the application of the method, some of which can be costly. I would humbly submit that in a naturally nurturing home setting, a level of creativity and resourcefulness can be used to good measure to effectively accomplish many of the goals in the Montessori method through creatively selected materials (homemade, thrifted, or re-purposed). All that to say...don't get hung up on the specific materials. There are creative solutions to work the Montessori method into the home.
Has this come close to answering your question, Jaysfamily? I see the blending of these two methods possible because they both foster relationship...relationship between child and object...between child and ideas within a book...between child and mother...between mother and the vocation of home education in asking her to observe and see through her child's eyes. Both methods invite wonder. I find this so beautiful because it invites me to be as a child again as I see through their eyes.
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: Jan 05 2011 at 9:37am | IP Logged
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Jays,
If I were you, I would POUR over the archives at Jen's (Mackfam's) blog Wildflowers and Marbles
I'm sure Jen will find this thread and respond beautifully with one of her famously thorough summary/essays. BUT, in the meantime, she illustrates again and again they beauty and utility of both methods where they suit her needs and those of her children.
I don't think you could achieve this by being a purist for either. I do think it probably works better if you lean CM for philosophy and then use choice Montessori activities for particular subjects/applications, but that is just my impression and certainly there are others who successfully pull off the opposite. I just feel that when I was doing my own research, the pressure of a more strict Montessori approach was more overwhelming to me and less flexible to a home environment. By contrast, the Montessori activities could be used to good effect even if the classroom and its philosophies could not be recreated.
I personally believe that a Montessori classroom with trained teachers can be highly effective! I just don't think it is *necessary* or find it to fit as well into an integrated homelife as Charlotte Mason's approach. Just my two cents 
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: Jan 05 2011 at 9:38am | IP Logged
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 Cross posted with Jen and her predictably FAB response
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Jan 05 2011 at 10:12am | IP Logged
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CrunchyMom wrote:
| Cross posted with Jen and her predictably FAB response |
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You're so kind, Lindsay!!!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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4Real Forums : Philosophy of Education
Topic: CM versus Montessori
