How Much Time Does Homeschooling Take? A Montessori-Inspired Answer
“I would love to homeschool, but… how would I find the time?”
If this thought has crossed your mind, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we hear, and one of the most misunderstood.
We’re surrounded by the idea that learning should take up most of the day. Traditional schools run for 8 hours, 5 days a week, 10 months a year. Kids come home with backpacks full of books, folders, and worksheets. It looks like a lot of learning is happening.
But in Montessori, we know that more time doesn’t always mean more learning.
Why “More” Isn’t Always Better
Exposure to information, through lectures, worksheets, videos, or books, means very little unless a child has the time and support to apply it.
Real learning happens when children use what they’ve learned in new and meaningful ways.
That’s what Montessori is built for: helping children explore concepts deeply, through real-world application, movement, and independence.
Traditional schools are often unable to deliver that. Dozens of kids. One environment. A rigid schedule. The system spends more time trying to manage the crowd than actually teaching new ideas.
So How Much Time Should You Spend?
Here’s the good news: you need far less time than you think.
In a Montessori homeschool, a small number of key lessons can be introduced each week and the rest of your time is spent letting your child apply those lessons in daily life.
For example:
Set aside 2–3 hours each weekday morning as your “academic time”
Use that time for reading, math, thematic lessons, and hands-on work
Outside that window, trust that nature walks, chores, storytelling, and free play are learning too
The amount of time you spend is less important than the consistency and rhythm you bring to your days.
Learning Happens All Day But You Don’t Have to Teach All Day
Homeschooling doesn’t mean recreating school at home. It means giving your child the gift of a more natural, flexible way to learn.
With the right curriculum and tools, you can:
Teach fewer lessons, more deeply
Give your child the space to explore
Feel confident you’re “doing enough”
Want Help Creating a Weekly Homeschool Rhythm?
Our Complete Curriculum includes a full Montessori scope and sequence, step-by-step lesson guides, and a weekly planning system that makes it easy to stay on track—without feeling like you’re teaching 24/7.
Ready to start?
Take our free Homeschool Superpower Quiz and get a gentle nudge toward your next best step.
Love this so much? You can also try the Child of the Redwoods Curriculum free for 7 days. We’d love to welcome you inside.
