As a homeschooling parent, choosing between the Montessori and Charlotte Mason methods for homeschooling can be an overwhelming decision.
Both approaches prioritize a child-centered education, fostering independence and a love for learning, but understanding the unique principles and practices of each can help you make an informed choice that suits your child’s needs and your family’s lifestyle.
Some families will choose to use a strictly Charlotte Mason method or purely a Montessori method in their homeschool. At the same time, lots of other families like to use a combination of both. The beauty is that it is completely up to you, that’s why homeschooling is so amazing!
Let’s talk about the lives of both of these amazing women and find out exactly what their methods entail so you can decide which of these two homeschool styles is the best fit for your school year.
Charlotte Mason vs. Maria Montessori
Charlotte Mason and Dr. Maria Montessori were prominent educators who developed distinct educational philosophies and methods in the mid to late 1800s and the early 1900s, respectively. While both approaches emphasize child-centered education, they differ in their beliefs about the role of the teacher, the purpose of education, and the methods used within the classroom.
Who was Charlotte Mason?
Charlotte Mason, born in 1842, had an intriguing personal life that shaped her educational philosophy. Growing up in the enchanting landscapes of England’s Lake District, she developed a deep love for nature, spending her childhood exploring the countryside and discovering its wonders. In fact, she was homeschooled by her mother for many years.
However, at the young age of 16, both of her parents passed away, leaving Charlotte an orphan. Charlotte began working as a teacher, which gave way to her eventually developing an educational approach that respected the unique individuality of each child.
Charlotte Mason’s personal experiences in nature and her commitment to learning as much as she possibly could about children and the best ways to teach them laid the foundation for her groundbreaking contributions to education and the creation of the Charlotte Mason approach.
Who was Maria Montessori?
Maria Montessori, born in 1870, led a remarkable life that includes her groundbreaking work in education. Despite societal expectations, she defied conventions and pursued a college education, becoming one of Italy’s earliest female physicians.
As a mother, she faced the challenges of balancing her professional goals with her maternal responsibilities, which ultimately led her to send her son away for many years to live with a wet nurse when he was young. This allowed Maria the ability to continue on with her career. It was through her strong determination, that she was able to develop a child-centered approach to education, the Montessori Method, that empowered children to become independent learners and important contributors to society.
In 1907, Maria opened her first Montessori classroom, Casa dei Bambini (which translates to First Children’s House). It was a specially designed classroom for young children, typically ages 3 to 6, where Montessori implemented her educational philosophy and methods.
These classrooms were filled with carefully selected materials and activities that encouraged a child’s natural curiosity, independence, and the development of their cognitive, social, and motor skills.
Charlotte Mason’s Educational Method
Charlotte Mason’s method is more of a classical approach that feels more like traditional homeschooling. It follows a daily schedule that is different depending on the day of the week and the subjects to be taught. It works really well for so many different homeschool families.
Philosophy: Charlotte Mason believed that children are born persons with an innate desire to learn and should be respected as individuals.
Role of the Teacher: The teacher’s role is to be a facilitator and guide, presenting a wide range of living ideas and knowledge to the child.
Curriculum: Mason advocated for a classical education that includes subjects such as classic literature, history, mathematics, science, foreign languages, bible study, and the arts. It is perfect for all stages of learning.
Living Books: Mason emphasized the use of “living books,” which are well-written, quality books that engage the child’s imagination and inspire a love for learning.
Narration: Students are encouraged to narrate, or tell back, what they have learned to reinforce understanding and retention.
Short Lessons: Lessons are kept short to maintain the child’s attention and focus, with a focus on quality over quantity.
Outdoor Education: Nature study and outdoor activities play a significant role in Mason’s method, as she believed that children should have regular contact with the natural world.
Maria Montessori’s Educational Method
The Montessori approach is a popular homeschooling style among eclectic homeschoolers and more relaxed homeschoolers. The Montessori teaching style is so much fun with its real life, hands-on teaching.
Philosophy: Montessori believed that children have an innate drive for independence and self-directed learning, and the role of education is to provide an environment that nurtures their natural development. Dr. Montessori’s methods are based on interest-led learning.
Role of the Teacher: Montessori teachers serve as an observer and guide, allowing children to learn at their own pace and discover their interests.
Prepared Environment: Montessori schools are carefully designed with age-appropriate materials that promote hands-on learning and exploration.
Self-Directed Learning: Montessori emphasizes student choice and independence, allowing children to choose their activities and work at their own pace.
Sensorial Education: Montessori believed in engaging the senses as a foundation for learning, with materials designed to develop the child’s senses of touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell.
Practical Life Skills: Montessori places a strong emphasis on practical life skills, such as pouring, dressing, and cleaning, to develop independence and responsibility.
Mixed-Age Groups: Montessori classrooms often include children of different ages, allowing for peer learning and cooperation.
Charlotte Mason vs. Maria Montessori: Comparing the Methods
Let’s look at how these two different homeschool methods are different from each other.
Approach to Learning: The main difference is in the approach to learning. Mason’s method focuses on a broad liberal education, emphasizing literature and the humanities, while Montessori’s method emphasizes hands-on learning, practical life skills, and sensorial experiences.
Role of the Teacher: Mason’s approach sees the teacher as a facilitator of knowledge, while Montessori’s method positions the teacher as an observer and guide.
Structure and Flexibility: Mason’s method follows a more structured approach with short lessons, while Dr. Montessori’s methods allow for individualized and self-directed learning.
Outdoor Education: While both methods recognize the importance of outdoor experiences, Mason places greater emphasis on nature study and the connection with the natural world.
Classroom Environment: Montessori classrooms are specifically designed with age-appropriate materials and mixed-age groups, while Mason’s classrooms often follow a more traditional setup.
Assessment: Mason’s method emphasizes narration as a form of assessment, while Montessori’s method relies on self-correction and observation by the teacher.
Ages: A Charlotte Mason education works well for younger children and older children equally. As a matter of fact, the Charlotte Mason method works perfectly for all grade levels including high school. Whereas a Montessori education is most commonly used for young children, although it can be used in older grades as well, it’s just not as common.
Which Method Should You Use in Your Homeschool?
Ultimately, the choice between these two different methods depends on your child’s learning style, the goals you have for their education, and your values and philosophies when it comes to homeschooling your child.
Choosing between the Charlotte Mason method and the Montessori method really depends on what method will allow your child to thrive the most.
Here are a few considerations to help you make the perfect choice for your family:
Learning Style: Consider your child’s learning preferences and strengths. Do they thrive in a structured environment with short, focused lessons (Charlotte Mason), or do they prefer hands-on exploration and self-directed learning (Montessori)? Observing your child’s behavior and interests can give you insights into which approach may be a better fit.
Educational Goals: Clarify your educational goals and priorities. Are you seeking a curriculum that emphasizes literature, the humanities, and a broad liberal arts education (Charlotte Mason)? Or do you prioritize practical life skills, sensorial experiences, and independence (Montessori)? Consider which approach aligns more closely with your desired educational outcomes.
Philosophy and Values: Reflect on your educational philosophy and values as an educator and parent. Do you believe in a teacher-guided approach (Charlotte Mason), or do you value promoting independence and self-directed learning (Montessori)? Consider which method resonates more strongly with your own beliefs and values.
Resources and Support: Consider the availability of resources and support for each method. Look for curriculum materials, books, manipulatives, online communities, and local co-ops that align with your chosen method. Having access to resources and a community that can provide guidance and support can significantly enhance your homeschooling journey.
Flexibility: Consider your own flexibility and adaptability as an educator. Both methods require so much freedom and flexibility, but the degree of structure and planning may vary. Determine which method’s approach to planning, lesson organization, and classroom management aligns better with your own abilities and lifestyle.
Trial and Error: Remember that you can always experiment and combine elements from both methods. There’s no strict rule that you must adhere to only one educational approach. You can start with one method and adjust or incorporate elements from the other as you gain more experience and insight into your child’s learning needs. At the end of the day, the decision should be based on what you believe will best support your child’s education and development.
Other Homeschooling Approaches
There are two different styles of homeschooling that are also quite popular depending on your homeschool philosophy. I will just mention them very briefly here, just in case you are interested in some other options.
Waldorf Education: A Waldorf homeschool education follows the principles of the Waldorf approach to education, developed by Rudolf Steiner. The Waldorf methods prioritize the holistic development of a child, by incorporating academics, arts, practical skills, and a connection to nature.
In a Waldorf homeschool, homeschooling parents create a rhythm and structure that aligns with the child’s developmental stages, providing a balanced blend of structured lessons and free play. The curriculum typically includes activities such as storytelling, handwork, music, painting, and outdoor exploration, fostering creativity, imagination, and a love for learning.
Reggio Emilia: The Reggio Emilia method is not nearly as well known or as popular as Waldorf, Montessori, or Charlotte Mason, but still very interesting all the same. Emphasizing exploration, creativity, and social interaction, Reggio Emilia homeschooling encourages preschool children to express themselves through various mediums, engage in project-based learning, and actively participate in their own educational journey. The approach incorporates open-ended materials, documentation of learning processes, and a strong emphasis on community involvement, creating a sense of autonomy, critical thinking skills, and a deep appreciation for the arts.
In a typical homeschool day following this method, the parents provide a variety of open-ended materials and resources for their child to explore independently or in collaboration with siblings. This could include art supplies, natural materials, building blocks, or sensory activities.
Throughout the day, parents may engage their child in project-based learning, where the child chooses a topic of interest and parents facilitate their exploration through discussions, research, and hands-on activities. Documentation of the child’s learning process, such as photographs, drawings, or written reflections hanging on the wall, is also an essential component of the Reggio Emilia approach, allowing both the child and parents to celebrate their progress.
In conclusion, both approaches recognize the child as an individual with a natural curiosity. They value hands-on learning experiences and the importance of a nurturing and supportive learning environment. They just go about it in very different ways.
Hopefully, you have all the information you need to make the best decision for your own children and their education.
I'm Karen, a homeschooling mom and a lifelong learner who is a passionate advocate of Charlotte Mason's timeless educational philosophy. I have been homeschooling for over a decade, using Charlotte’s methods of living books, nature study, copywork, dictation, and narration. I've found that Charlotte Mason's holistic approach to education resonates deeply with my values and goals as an educator and parent. Through my blog, I aim to inspire and support my fellow homeschoolers as we explore the beauty and wonder of a living education that nurtures the mind, heart, and soul.
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