Montessori Comparison
MONTESSORI
Emphasis on:
cognitive and social development
The teacher has an unobtrusive role in the classroom
​
Environment and method encourage self-discipline
​
Mainly individual instruction
​
Mixed age grouping
​
Grouping encourages children to teach and help each other.
The Child chooses their own work
The child discovers his or her concepts from self-teaching materials.
The Child works as long as he wishes on the chosen project.
The Child sets his own learning pace
The child spots his errors from feedback on material
The child reinforces his learning by repeating work and internal feelings of success
Multi-sensory materials for physical exploration
Organized program for learning care of self and environment (polishing shoes, cleaning the sink, etc.)
A child can work where he chooses, move around, and talk at will (yet not disturb the work of others); group work is a voluntary
TRADITIONAL
Emphasis on:
Social development
The teacher is the center of the classroom as a "controller"
The Teacher acts as the primary enforcer of discipline
Group and individual instruction
Same age grouping
Most teaching is done by the teacher
Curriculum structured for child
The child is guided to concepts by the teacher
The child is generally allotted specific time for work
Instruction pace is usually set by group norm
If work is corrected, errors are usually pointed out by the teacher
Learning is reinforced externally by repetition and rewards
Fewer materials for sensory development
Less emphasis on self-care instruction
Child usually assigned own chair: encouraged to participate, sit still and listen during group sessions
Voluntary parent involvement