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MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY AND HOME SCHOOLING

In the previous article, we discussed the Classical method of homeschooling. And in this article, we are discussing the Montessorian Model of homeschooling. Montessori has been widely recognized by a large section of pre-schooling aspirants in the world. It emerged for the first time by Italian doctor, most prominent personality of her times, Dr Maria Montessori in the late 19th and early 20th century in Italy. Her empirical enquiry about quality learning of the child with lots of efforts enabled her model to be recognized and practised by most of the pre-school settings today. This short write up attempts to simplify how the Montessorian approach of education can be converted to homeschooling curriculum. 


Few aspects of Montessori in Homeschooling: 


1.     Philosophical perspectives of Montessorian education: The Montessorian Model of education is fully based on independence and freedom assuming the children having a unique potentiality on their own. Montessori also believes on 'self-regulation' (‘Self-regulation refers to behavioural control processes, including the ability to inhibit and delay responses, flexibly shift and adapt, and maintain emotional control in order to achieve goals and direct behaviour’). To mean further, children have their own potentialities and it is to be extracted by deploying them in the right environment. Thus, in this concept teachers are mere facilitators. 

2.     Curriculum: As the curriculum is very essential and foremost part of the education. Montessori also has its own set of curriculum in order to transact its philosophical goals. Montessorian curriculum has been designed with experiential learning approaches which have very specific sets of experiential equipment, unlike others. Moreover, math, science, history and language arts are prescribed to have the course of study that is interpreted into the specific distinct activities. 

3.     Application of the Montessori model in homeschooling: If we look at the beliefs and approaches of the Montessori education system with its activities, our home can be converted into Montessorian Model of homeschooling. Because to gather the prescribed activity materials from various sources, is not a difficult task. If the Montessori materials are not affordable, we can source a low-cost-version of Montessori learning material. We can purchase few printable worksheets, learning game and assessment tools from some online resources. There are some online education/homeschooling platforms which are deeply connected to the Montessorian Model of education in a various context such as lesson planning, independent choices of activities.

Whatever might be the model of education, every system of education has its own philosophy and teaching-learning model. But at an early age, it is very important that parents spend more time with their children. There is a very famous proverb, ‘Child do not listen to us, they follow us’. Thus it is very important that parents spend quality time with their children, and parents should develop qualities in themselves which they want to see in their children.

We are not trying to see which system of education is best, we are trying to learn various kinds of systems of education. All the systems come with their unique goals, teaching and learning ways, assessment methods etc. It is on us, based on our needs we should select a system of education for our children.

The article is published as part of a series of articles on homeschooling. By visiting our homeschooling page, you can read all the connected articles.

The above article is a reflection from the below article. Please Click the link to explore the above reflection in detail from an external site.


Reflection is contributed by:
Satyasing Mushahary
An Alumni of Azim Premji University (2014-16)
Consultant @ CLLF



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