How We Homeschool; Montessori, Waldorf, & Spirituality
I hadn’t planned on writing about this topic for a while. Spring has sprung on the homestead and I was expecting to come out of hibernation with articles on permaculture prep and how my little beasties are already squashing shoeless through mud (the best part of spring, of course). But I’ve received so many questions about which curriculums and lesson plans I follow, and how we organize schoolwork, so this post is bumping its way up to top priority.
Beginning with traditional basics, we loosely follow two educational approaches; Montessori and Waldorf.
Both of these styles of learning hold places near and dear to my heart. I’m an adult biproduct of a Montessori education, having attended a Montessori school from infancy to my teen years. I wouldn’t say this love is biased, though - I later attended a public high school to experience both perspectives of the educational spectrum. Although there are many approaches to schooling, having participated in an alternative one really got my gears turning when I became a Mom. I set out to research various approaches and landed on two that best fit my beliefs and parenting style.
Here’s what they are and why I chose them:
Montessori
Created by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1907, Montessori education is child-focused and student-led. It is self-paced but guided in a home-like environment that is designed for the needs of the child. Classrooms typically blend multiple ages, teaching community participation and individual responsibility (this can get tricky in a small family homeschool, hence the need for extracurricular activities, play dates, and/or welcoming other children into the classroom). Classwork places heavy emphasis on kinesthetic learning with hands-on materials for things like math, language arts, world cultures, etc., as opposed to paperwork and regurgitating memorized information. The child is free to explore materials between lessons instructed by the teacher, either one on one, or in a group. Teachers and students alike are regarded as peers, with the view that all are to be respected equally as members of the classroom community. The underlying focus of the Montessori approach is to ignite passion for learning and to help children gain early independence (which also feeds confidence). The ol’ Montessori saying is “help me to do it myself”.
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“Rather than simply filling children with facts, Montessori education strives to nurture each child’s natural desire for knowledge, understanding, and respect.”
~ MELANIE THIESSE, AMERICAN MONTESSORI SOCIETY DIRECTOR
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2. Waldorf
Waldorf Education was founded in the 20th century by Rudolf Steiner, a brilliant scientist and renowned artist. Very similar to the approach of Dr. Montessori, Waldorf education encourages independence and inner enthusiasm for learning, eliminating the need for competitive testing, academic placement, and rewards to motivate learning, allowing motivation to arise from within¹. It implements integrative thinking and assimilation of information, rather than memorizing isolated facts and invites the student to be creative, flexible, and take initiative, while cultivating their emotional, physical, and spiritual capabilities. The Waldorf method employs music, dance, theater, writing, and literature through experiential application as opposed to being merely read about and tested.
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"Waldorf education is not a pedagogical system but an art - the art of awakening what is actually there within the human being."
~ RUDOLF STEINER
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As probably apparent, I have a strong belief in community, independence, creativity, and cultivating a genuine passion for learning. Both of these methods also reference Nature more often that not, which is an integral pillar in our family beliefs and traditions. While blending these two methods, I also integrate my own esoteric knowledge that I’ve gained from years of study and application, and countless hours of continuing education through mystery schools and shamanism.
This takes on a very relaxed and natural approach. While I do prepare a lesson plan based on state standards, Montessori/Waldorf guidelines, and implemented spirituality, I also keep a keen eye out for applicative opportunity. This could be as simple as pointing out the golden ratio spiral in pumpkin tendrils, or being aware of the tree’s energetic biofield before approaching. When it comes to this type of shamanic knowledge, I integrate it into our life effortlessly and naturally, since we believe that this is the foundation of our experiential world.
To allay future confusion I’ve been sure to include the flip side of traditional academia, as some things can be contradictory. We emphasize ancient wisdom, such as sacred geometry and elevation of consciousness, with modern scientific theories, especially those within quantum and astro physics.
You may be thinking “whoa…aren’t those topics way too deep for young kids?” Believe me, I’ve heard it more than once! If including in depth study and intellectual jargon, sure. It can get heavy even for me. But the key is making the concept as easy to understand as possible. Are you using words that a child can understand? Are you posing the idea from various perspectives? Are you relating it to a life application that the child is familiar with? Using Imagery? These are questions I ask myself many times throughout the day. Truth be told, not everything will stick, and that’s OK! Take courage in the fact that everything is always recorded and logged in the memory somewhere and will subliminally aid in problem solving.
Additionally, I am a firm believer that children will expand or contract to fit the expectations made for them. That’s why I throw those expectations right out the door. While I do make sure my boys are “on track” developmentally for their ages, I absolutely do not limit them to it. When Remy naturally discovered addition and subtraction by working with his materials, he was encouraged to continue exploration, and it only furthered my resolve to eliminate educational boundaries. This is only one example of many.
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Children are sponges. They have the capability of understanding and applying far greater concepts than what we’ve been led to believe. That’s why through Conscious Parenting, we make it our duty to gently guide and allow transcendence both academically and spiritually.
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I hope this was helpful to the dear ones who are on a similarly exciting parenting path!
Love to All,
Mother Woods