THE MONTESSORI APPROACH FOR HOMESCHOOLING

Learn how to bring the joy and freedom of a Montessori school to your home. Special guest Jessica May explains how to homeschool with a Montessori minimalist approach — even with reluctant learners or middle schoolers. Helicopter parents, brace yourselves. With the Montessori method, you need to embrace messes and give your child more autonomy.  QUOTABLES Jessica: "The Montessori approach, in a nutshell, is self-directed, it's hands-on. In the early years it's abstract, and it becomes concrete later, when they're older... You don't sit people down with worksheets... that's kind of the gist of it ... following and observing the child." Ximena: "...we have learned that less is more... there's a commonality in all of the approaches that we want our listeners to understand, is that there's always concrete learning with reading, writing, and math. Right? And then basically everything else, it's your choice and your style, and you can curate it the way you want. And I think that's so exciting to hear because it just simplifies everything. Focus on those three things in a concrete manner and then everything else, you can be creative with." ★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com. TIMESTAMPS 06:30 Jessica defines Montessori homeschooling. 07:36 How is Montessori different from unschooling? 09:32 Jessica explains her Montessori minimalist approach. 13:22 The mindset changes you'll need to make as a Montessori parent. 16:01 Montessori for middle school and teens. 23:57 A typical day of Montessori homeschooling. 29:32 Handling reluctant learners. 31:23 Getting started with Montessori. 33:06 Practical tips: Be prepared for messes.  34:15 Advice for your former self: Chill out. SPECIAL SEGMENTS 02:06 Hack of the Week — curate an environment by prepping ahead of time 21:11 An Aha Moment — avoiding the phone/email during homeschool hours If you have an aha moment to share, an inspirational quote, a homeschool hack, or a book you're loving, leave a comment at bookshark.com/podcast. We'd love to feature your reflection on a future episode.