Is Montessori Homeschool Right for you?

Feb 27, 2025

Is Montessori Homeschool Right for You?

Choosing the right homeschooling approach is a big decision, and Montessori homeschooling is a popular choice for parents who value child-led learning, hands-on activities, and independence. But is it the right fit for your family?

In this post, we’ll explore the key principles of Montessori homeschooling, the benefits and challenges, and important factors to consider before deciding if it’s right for you.

What Is Montessori Homeschooling?

Montessori homeschooling is based on the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, which emphasizes:

- Child-Led Learning: Children choose their activities based on their interests and developmental readiness.

- Hands-On Materials: Montessori uses tactile, self-correcting materials to help children learn through experience.

- A Prepared Environment: Learning spaces are intentionally designed to encourage independence and exploration.

- Respect for the Child: Parents act as guides, rather than traditional teachers, allowing children to learn at their own pace.

- Uninterrupted Work Periods: Extended time for focused learning without frequent interruptions.

What would a day as a Montessori homeschooler look like?

The great thing about homeschooling is that it is very flexible and catered to each family so this would look different depending on your family and situation. Here's what my day looks like:

-Wake up, eat breakfast, get ready. I try to include as much practical life as possible such as allowing the children to help prepare food, and encouraging independence by getting dressed by themselves.

-Go to the gym.

-Run errands if needed. (groceries, return library books...etc) Or spend time outside if we have no errands.

-Eat lunch

-2 year old goes down for a nap. 4 year old does school work. about 30-60 minutes of lessons focuses on language, math and themed units. The rest of nap time she chooses to nap or do quiet time.

-Afternoon is unstructured play time. This might include: play dates, swimming, park, zoo, bike rides, playing at home, crafts...etc

So as you can see I only do up to 60 minutes of structured lessons and try to incorporate real life work throughout the rest of the day.

Now, let’s dive into the benefits and challenges of homeschooling the Montessori way.

Benefits of Montessori Homeschooling

1. Encourages Independence

Montessori homeschooling fosters self-sufficiency. Children learn practical life skills like cooking, cleaning, and organizing, which build confidence and responsibility.

2. Follows Your Child’s Natural Development

Instead of a rigid curriculum, Montessori allows children to explore subjects when they’re naturally ready, making learning more enjoyable and effective.

3. Hands-On, Engaging Learning

Montessori materials encourage children to learn through touch, movement, and exploration—perfect for kinesthetic learners.

4. Flexible and Individualized Education

Homeschooling with Montessori allows you to tailor education to your child’s unique strengths, interests, and pace, rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.

5. Encourages a Love for Learning

By allowing children to choose their own learning activities, Montessori fosters curiosity, creativity, and intrinsic motivation.

Challenges of Montessori Homeschooling

1. Requires Parental Commitment

Montessori homeschooling requires you to be an engaged guide, setting up learning environments, observing your child’s interests, and sourcing appropriate materials. Montessori can require a lot of lesson preparation which can be time consuming. In my Montessori course I streamline this by teaching you how to properly lesson plan and giving you the lessons and materials needed.

2. Can Be Costly

Authentic Montessori materials can be expensive, but many families find ways to DIY or use budget-friendly alternatives. In my course I provide printable versions of every material to make Montessori more affordable.

3. Less Structured Curriculum

If you prefer a highly structured homeschool with a set curriculum and daily lesson plans, Montessori’s child-led approach may feel too unstructured.

4. Requires Patience and Observation

Montessori homeschooling is not about direct instruction—it’s about guiding and trusting your child’s natural learning process, which can be challenging for parents used to traditional education models.

5. Socialization Takes Effort

Because Montessori homeschool doesn’t follow a traditional classroom setup, you may need to be intentional about finding group activities, co-ops, or playdates for your child to interact with peers.

Is Montessori Homeschool Right for Your Family?

Consider these questions to determine if Montessori homeschooling is a good fit:

- Do you believe children learn best through hands-on experiences rather than worksheets and textbooks?

- Are you comfortable following your child’s interests rather than a strict curriculum?

- Do you enjoy creating a prepared learning environment at home?

- Are you willing to be a patient observer and guide rather than a traditional instructor?

- Can you incorporate practical life skills into everyday learning?

- Do you have the time and flexibility to support your child’s independent learning?

If you answered **yes** to most of these questions, Montessori homeschooling might be a great fit for your family!

Montessori homeschooling is a beautiful, child-centered approach that fosters independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. However, it requires commitment, flexibility, and a willingness to trust your child’s natural development.