TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS VS. MONTESSORI SCHOOLS
In the majority of today’s traditional schools, teaching is mainly done via teacher instructing students in a large group in front of a class. In a Montessori school students learn concepts as they work independently with the many self-correcting materials in the classroom, under the guidance of their teacher. The learning environment is non-competitive, allowing students to progress at their own pace. Students are provided with the opportunity to reach their full potential both emotionally, physically, socially and academically.Children who have had a sound Montessori education are generally, self-motivated, self-disciplined, confident and have developed a love of learning. And as such, they are able to easily adjust to many new situations, including traditional school systems. It is strongly advised that should a transition be made to the traditional school system that it is done upon completion of the Casa Program or the Lower Elementary Program at a minimum.
MONTESSORI
- Teacher is unassuming; child directed
- Child can choose where to sit, is free to talk to others without being disruptive
- Concepts are learned using concrete materials which lead to abstract work
- Children plan their own agenda for the day
- Group work encourages children to teach and learn from one another
- Predominantly small group
- Child explores topics of interest outside the main lesson
- Mixed age groups
TRADITONAL
- Teacher directed
- Assigned seating, talking to others is restricted
- Many concepts are memorized
- Children work on specific work at specific times
- Teaching is primarily done by the teacher
- Mainly whole class instruction
- Child may only work within limits of the curriculum and teacher assigned work
- Same age grouping in class