The goal of both Montessori and traditional schools is the same: to provide learning experiences for the child.
The biggest differences lie in the kind of learning experiences each school provides and methods they use to accomplish this goal. Montessori educators believe these differences are important because they help shape how a child learns, his work habits, and his future attitudes towards himself and the world around him.
Traditional
- Teacher plays the role of “controller” in the classroom
Group and individual instruction
Little age spread within class
Most teaching is done by the teacher, and children do not have the opportunity to teach one another
Curriculum is structured for the child
Child is guided to concepts by teacher and does not have the opportunity to self-teach
Child is guided to concepts by teacher
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 rewards, ot by the child's feelings
Fewer materials are used for sensory development
Child is usually assigned his own chair. He is encouraged to participate and listen during group lessons, but must essentially sit still
Less emphasis on self-care instruction
Montessori
Teacher has unobtrusive role in the classroom
Mainly individual instruction
Mixed age grouping
Grouping encourages children to teach and to help each other
Child chooses his own work
Child discovers own concepts from self-teaching materials
Child works as long as he wishes on chosen project
Child sets own learning pace
Child spots own errors from comments of their material
Child reinforces own learning by repetition of work and internal feelings of success
Multi-sensory materials for physical exploration
Child can work where he chooses, move around and talk at will, yet not disturb the work of others. Group work is voluntary
Organized program for learning care of self and environment (polishing shoes, cleaning the sink, etc)