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If you’ve been searching for schools in the Kansas City Are, you’ve probably noticed the word Montessori popping up everywhere. But here’s something most parents don’t know: the name “Montessori” is not trademarked. That means any school can use it, whether or not they follow authentic Montessori practices. Unfortunately, when schools use the name without the training, philosophy, or materials to back it up, it doesn’t just confuse parents. It can also hurt children and give the entire Montessori community a bad reputation.
This week, while talking with another teacher about the start of the school year, she shared something that brought tears to her eyes.
A child who goes to another school had looked up at her and said quietly, “I don’t like school.”
She felt compelled to do something, but what could she do? She wasn’t the parent or guardian. She had no say in where that child attended school. And so those words, entrusted to her in a moment of vulnerability and sincerity , simply hung in the air. Heavy. Heartbreaking.
As teachers, that phrase, “I don’t like school”, cuts us to the core. Every one of us hopes that the children in our care will run home excited to share what they’ve learned, eager to come back the next day. But when a child admits that school feels like something to endure, not enjoy, it crushes our soul.
Often, the problem isn’t that teachers don’t care. It’s that classrooms are overloaded. Too many students, not enough time. Too much pressure to keep the lesson moving, not enough time to truly see each child. And so, children become invisible, just another face in the crowd.
Homeschooling gives parents the freedom to create a learning environment that truly works for their children. But sometimes that freedom brings doubt and concern—what should you do, and how should you do it? Questions naturally arise, such as: Where do you start? How will this lead into more advanced learning? How do you make sure your child is getting a well-rounded education? Here are some simple curriculum ideas to guide you, whether you’re just beginning or looking for fresh ways to spark interest.