{"id":10858,"date":"2011-06-29T00:00:32","date_gmt":"2011-06-29T04:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplehomeschl.wpengine.com\/?p=10858"},"modified":"2026-02-11T14:54:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T19:54:39","slug":"montessori-at-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplehomeschool.net\/montessori-at-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Montessori at Home: 8 Principles to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Written by contributor Heather Bruggeman of Beauty That Moves<\/a>
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

M<\/span>ontessori education is a philosophy and model created by Maria Montessori, the first woman physician in Italy, in the late 1800s. At its core, Montessori education is designed to promote peace and considers the whole child as well as the environment in its approach .<\/p>\n

It has been a primary influence in our family\u2019s lifestyle and educational philosophy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve heard from some readers that you are interested in Montessori philosophy as it might fit into your homeschool. And some of you were looking for a little inspiration or direction to light the way.<\/p>\n

If you are like me, you appreciate things broken down into easy to follow steps.<\/p>\n

In 2005,\u00a0 Angeline S. Lillard wrote a book called\u00a0Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius<\/a>, in which she discusses whether or not a century old methodology can stand up to modern day scientific research in developmental psychology. Her research led to the understanding that Dr. Montessori\u2019s ideas were, and still are, a very effective holistic approach to educating a child.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an academic way of saying that\u00a0Maria Montessori knew what she was doing.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Lillard\u2019s book she covers Eight Principles of Montessori Education. \u00a0Today we will look at those and think about how they may fit into your homeschool.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Montessori at Home: The 8 Principles of Montessori Education<\/h3>\n

1. Movement & Cognition<\/h4>\n

Movement and cognition are closely entwined, and movement can enhance thinking and learning.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For most of these principles I\u2019ll list a few points to consider as a homeschool family, but this particular one calls for a brief story.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sir Ken Robinson<\/a> did a TED Talk on Schools Killing Creativity<\/a>. He told the story of Gillian Lynne, a school girl whose parents were told she may have a learning disorder because she was fidgety and couldn\u2019t concentrate. They sent her to a specialist. She restlessly sat on her hands while the doctor and her mother spoke of the problems Gillian had at school.<\/p>\n

Eventually, the doctor said he needed to speak to the mother privately, he and Gillian’s mother left the room. As he was leaving, he turned on the radio that sat on his desk, when they left the room he said to her mother, \u201cJust stand here and watch her.\u201d<\/p>\n

The minute the doctor and mother left the room, Gillian recalls coming to her feet and moving to the music. The adults watched her for a few minutes from outside the room.<\/p>\n

The doctor turned to her mother and said, \u201cMrs. Lynne, Gillian isn\u2019t sick, she\u2019s a dancer.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gillian Lynne went on to study dance and eventually become a world famous choreographer, her work included the productions of Cats and Phantom of the Opera<\/a>. (Thank goodness for that doctor.)<\/p>\n

Humans need movement, each in their own way.<\/p>\n

2. Choice<\/h4>\n

Learning and well-being are improved when people have a sense of control over their lives.<\/strong><\/p>\n