montessori method
history of montessori
The Montessori Method was developed in the early 1900’s by Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator. Dr. Maria Montessori believed that no human being is educated by another person. He must do it himself or it will never be done. A truly educated individual continues learning long after the hours and years he spends in the classroom because he is motivated from within by a natural curiosity and love for knowledge. Dr. Montessori felt, therefore, that the goal of early childhood education should not be to fill the child with facts from a pre-selected course of studies, but rather to cultivate his own natural desire to learn.
In the Montessori classroom this objective is approached in two ways: first, by allowing each child to experience the excitement of learning by his own choice rather than by being forced; and second, by helping him to perfect all his natural tools for learning, so that his ability will be at a maximum in future learning situations. The Montessori materials have this dual long-range purpose in addition to their immediate purpose of giving specific information to the child.
montessori vs traditional
montessori
Cognitive and Social Development Emphasis:
Primarily Individualized Instruction:
Guiding Role for Teachers:
Mixed-Age Classroom Spanning Three Years:
Self-Enforcement Through Repetition:
Well-Structured Graduated Materials:
Encouraging Thoughtful Free Choice:
Prioritizes the nurturing of cognitive and social growth.
Tailored instruction to cater to individual needs and pacing.
Teachers assume a guiding role in facilitating the learning journey.
Classes feature a diverse age range spanning three years.
Children strengthen their learning through repeated practice and personal feelings of accomplishment.
Utilizes organized, three-dimensional, and tangible materials for effective learning.
Promotes thoughtful decision-making in free choice, allowing children to select work based on personal interests.
traditional
Focus on Rote Learning and Social Behavior:
Emphasis on memorization and social conduct.
Predominantly Group Instruction:
Instruction delivered mainly in group settings.
Teacher-Centric Classroom Control:
The teacher takes charge of the classroom dynamics.
Single Age Group in Each Class:
Classes consist of students of the same age.
Externally Reinforced Learning:
Learning is driven by the teacher and reinforced externally through rewards, stickers, etc.
Primarily Abstract Materials:
Utilizes mostly abstract materials such as books and papers.
Limited Choices, Assigned Work by Teacher:
Offers very few choices, with the teacher assigning tasks to the child.
montessori method
montessori
Primarily Individualized Instruction:
Well-Structured Graduated Materials:
Encouraging Thoughtful Free Choice:
Mixed-Age Classroom Spanning Three Years:
Self-Enforcement Through Repetition:
Cognitive and Social Development Emphasis:
traditional
Guiding Role for Teachers:
Focus on Rote Learning and Social Behavior:
Predominantly Group Instruction:
Teacher-Centric Classroom Control:
Single Age Group in Each Class:
Externally Reinforced Learning:
Limited Choices, Assigned Work by Teacher: