Kids should learn at their own pace; which pace will be accelerated [or enabled] if they have certain tools that can only be developed through rote learning...times tables, eg. A blend of the concepts is better than either concept by itself.
Good luck with your homeschooling. Best thing I ever did.
I am still unsure as to the exact methodology we will use, or whether or not to use a curriculum of some type. I still have a few years to go before I have to "decide" on that.
However, we will be homeschooling - and I will try to be as free-form as possible while still getting the job done. My sister is a Montessori teacher, and homeschools her own from a Christian perspective. She has some great kids.