Montessori Education vs. Traditional Education
If
you
are
new
to
Montessori
education,
often
the
first
question
you
might
ask
is
“what
makes
Montessori
different?”
Truly,
the
answer
to
that
question
is
immense!
In
effort
to
make
this
bountiful
banquet
of
information
a
little
more
digestible, we have organized some of the key concepts into these ten BIG differences:
The Prepared Environment
Montessori
classrooms
are
prepared
in
advance
based
on
observations
of
the
students’
individual
needs.
They
include
student-centred lessons and activities. Traditional classrooms are based on teacher-centred lessons or activities.
Active vs. Passive
Montessori
lessons
are
hands-on
and
active.
Students
discover
information
for
themselves.
Traditional
school
lessons
are often orated to students who listen passively, memorize, and take tests.
Give them Time
In
the
Montessori
classroom,
children
work
on
lessons
as
long
as
need
be,
and
interruptions
are
avoided
whenever
possible. Time limitations are mandated by arbitrary schedules in traditional classrooms.
The Teachers’ Role
Montessori
teachers
act
as
guides
and
consultants
to
students
on
a
one-on-one
basis.
They
assist
each
child
along
his
or
her
own
learning
path.
Traditionally,
the
pace
and
order
of
each
lesson
is
predetermined.
The
teacher
must
deliver
the
same lesson, at the same pace, in the same order, for all of the students.
Age Groups and Grade-levels
In
Montessori
schools,
“grade-levels”
are
flexible
and
determined
by
the
child’s
developmental
range,
i.e.,
0-3,
3-6,
6-9,
9-
12,
12-15,
and
15-18
years
of
age.
In
traditional
schools,
grade
levels
are
not
flexible
and
strictly
defined
by
chronological
age within a twelve-month period.
Adaptable Curricula
Montessori
curricula
expand
in
response
to
the
students’
needs.
Traditional
curricula
are
predetermined
without
regard
to student needs.
Pace Yourself
The
individual
child’s
work
pace
is
honoured
and
encouraged
in
the
Montessori
classroom.
Traditional
classrooms
expect
all children to work at the same pace.
Self-Made Self-Esteem
Montessorians
understand
that
the
child’s
self-esteem
comes
from
an
internal
sense
of
pride
in
his
or
her
own
accomplishments. In traditional classrooms, self-esteem is thought to come from external judgement and validation.
For the Love of Learning
Montessori
curricula
are
intended
to
appeal
to
the
child’s
innate
hunger
for
knowledge.
Children
learn
to
love
learning.
Traditional curricula focus on standardized test performance and grades. Children learn because it is mandatory.
Change is Good
The
Montessori
Method
was
created
by
Maria
Montessori
and
is
based
on
a
lifetime
of
study
and
observation
with
regard to the way children really learn. Traditional education is based on…well…tradition.
Oponganda
Pre-Primary & Daycare