Montessori vs. Traditional
Montessori Method |
Traditional Method |
| Sensory-rich environment because children learn through their senses | Sensory-deficient environment |
| Curriculum is individualized for each child depending on their own strengths and weaknesses | Curriculum is class-based so that each child does what the whole class is doing regardless of individual strengths and weaknesses |
| Child chooses what they will work with | Teacher chooses child’s work based on a schedule |
| Peers and guide encourage self-discipline to happen | Teacher disciplines each child and class |
| Child understands mistakes made on their own through socialization and error-controlled materials | Teacher points out mistakes to child |
| Different ages grouped together | Same ages grouped together |
| Socialization is encouraged so that children feel they are a part of a community | Socialization is discouraged during class work |
| Children teach themselves and solidify their learning through working with others and the materials | Teacher directs the class and delivers content |
| Child works with a material for as long as they need so that concentration can develop and the concept can be understood | The time limit for learning a concept or working with a material has a scheduled time limit |
| Child is free to move around the classroom and find work that interests them, sit where they would like, and work on their own or with others | Child is assigned a seat and generally asked to stay there for the day |
| Children are the centre of the classroom (the teacher fades into the background) | Teacher is the centre of the classroom |
| Learning is reinforced through the child’s repetition of work and positive self-esteem | Learning is reinforced through teacher repetition and rewards |