Montessori v Traditional Learning
Similarities & Differences between a Montessori School and Traditional School:
|
Montessori |
Traditional |
Emphasis on cognitive and social development. |
Emphasis on social development. |
Teacher’s role is unobtrusive in the classroom and forms part of the environment. |
Teacher is centre of the classroom as leader. |
The Montessori environment and method encourages self discipline. |
Teacher is primary enforcer of discipline. |
Montessori conceptual teaching is mainly one to one. |
Class or group instruction. |
Vertical grouping – mixed age group, consequently this minimises unhealthy competition. |
Same age grouping, promotes competition. |
Montessori vertical grouping encourages the children to teach and help each other. |
Teaching is done by the teacher. Very little peer to peer mentoring. |
Montessori child chooses own work. |
School curriculum is structured for the child/class. |
Child discovers own concepts from self teaching didactic materials. |
Guided to concepts by the teacher. |
Montessori child sets own learning pace. |
Pace is usually set by group norm. |
Child spots own errors from self correcting materials. |
School work corrected and errors usually pointed out by the teacher. |
Montessori child reinforces own learning by repetition of work and internal feeling of achievement. |
School learning is reinforced by repetition and rewards. |
A Montessori class environment offers multi sensory materials for physical exploration. |
Offer fewer materials for sensory exploration. |
Montessori classes provide and organized programme for learning care of self, others and the environment. |
Place less emphasis on self care instruction. |
Children can work where they choose, move around and talk freely, (without disturbing others) group work is voluntary. |
Children are assigned their own chair encouraged to participate and sit still and listen during group sessions. |
Montessori Schools provides and organize programmes for parents to understand the Montessori philosophy and participate in the learning process. |
Parent involvement is voluntary and often limited. |