Back to 3: the Montessori Method.
What Did Benedicte Bossute Say Montessori Really Is?
Montessori is focused on functional independence such as potty training, holding onto things, washing hands, etc. Tasks build on one another as a student progresses. This requires close observation to see when a child is ready to attempt a new skill. Academics are insufficient to the whole child -- it's independence, concentration, capacity for sharing space, respecting other's space, etc.