The Montessori method is a popular choice for parents who want their children to get an individualized approach to learning and focus on developing critical thinking skills.
Is there homework in Montessori school? No, this is because kids learn by doing, and play is often the medium through which they do that learning. In some respects, then, Montessori schools are less complicated than traditional schools because they don’t assign homework.
So if you’re considering a Montessori school for your child, read on for more about how these schools focus on development instead of drills and practice problems.
Why Montessori School Homework Is Minimal
The reason for minimal homework at Montessori schools is to allow children to continue learning independently rather than completing assignments for the teacher.
Montessori schools are about teaching children how to learn for themselves and not just how to learn what’s been assigned by the teacher. The school day at a Montessori school ends with a “quiet hour” where students work on self-directed projects or reflect on their day.
This allows them time to have a rest from the busyness of their lessons earlier in the day.
Montessori teachers also believe that it’s important for students’ development that they work independently and develop their skills at their own pace.
While some children may finish an assignment early and need something else with which they can practice those same skills further, other children may take longer or even never complete this particular skill set.
This doesn’t mean that either child has failed. Instead, it shows how both kids have different learning paces and deserve individual attention based on what works best for them.
Do Montessori Schools Use Worksheets?
Worksheets are not a part of Montessori education, and they can be used at home to supplement your child’s learning, but they have no place in the classroom.
Worksheets are often used by teachers who do not understand the Montessori teaching method or by those trained in traditional schools and find it difficult to switch their thinking around.
Worksheets should never be given as homework, and they’re best left at school where they belong.
What Do Montessori Students Do at Home?
Reading
If you have time before bedtime, read books together as a family (or, even better, read alone).
Make sure that reading is part of your daily routine because it helps develop language skills, expand vocabulary, and teach life lessons through stories.
We all love listening to stories being told aloud because there is something magical about having someone else do all the work for us while still giving us full engagement.
Playing
Montessori children learn about people through playing with them. A Montessori classroom is where children can practice safely interacting with others.
When your child comes home from school or goes on field trips, you can help him further expand his knowledge by allowing him to interact with other children his age who live nearby.
The point here isn’t just spending time together, although that’s undoubtedly important, instead of trying different activities together.
They Help With Chores
The Montessori children have to help with chores, and they help with the dishes, laundry, vacuuming, and sweeping.
They also help with grocery shopping and cooking. The Montessori children are very responsible for their age group, so they can be trusted not to break things or leave messes everywhere while doing these chores.
Math Activities
The Montessori method teaches children a great deal about math, but it also encourages them to explore and play with numbers independently.
When you’re resting at home with your child, you can do lots of activities to help them learn about math.
Here are some examples:
- Counting objects together
- Telling time
- Doing simple addition problems
Do the Principles of Montessori Work?
Teachers who use Montessori methods do not follow the set of rules that Maria Montessori created. Instead, they are implementing some of the ideas and theories she proposed.
The most important thing to remember about Montessori schools is that they are based on an educational philosophy rather than just one person’s methods or beliefs.
The main things to know about Montessori principles include:
- The belief that children learn through their senses (sight, hearing, touch) first.
- The idea that children need hands-on activities to become active learners.
- Play.
Alternative Work Montessori Children Should Do at Home
In the Montessori classroom, your child will work on various activities. The purpose of these activities is to stimulate their curiosity and guide them toward the joys of learning.
The Montessori philosophy is that children should do meaningful, age-appropriate work consistent with their interests and learning style and reflective of their personality.
The alternative work you can provide at home should follow this same philosophy. Children benefit greatly when they have an opportunity to practice what they’ve learned in school, whether it’s reading or math, or science.
Is There Punishment in Montessori Schools?
There are no punishments or rewards in a Montessori classroom, there are no grades, tests, or homework assignments either. There’s no pressure to perform well academically in a Montessori school because there are no tests.
This environment encourages self-directed learning and allows children to explore their interests at their own pace without comparison with classmates and friends who may have different abilities and interests.
Conclusion
It can be a shock to parents when they realize that the Montessori approach to homework is less than what they have been used to with their traditional schooled children. The reason for this is that the Montessori method is about learning through play rather than rote memorization and worksheets. By allowing children more freedom in how they know, this system has encouraged creativity, self-motivation, and collaboration among students of all ages.
FAQs
Why do people not like Montessori schools? This is because it focuses on promoting student independence and fostering growth at an individual level.
Is Montessori education effective? Yes, research shows that children in Montessori schools show more gains academically than those in traditional schools.