Why Montessori?
All parents hope for the best education for their children, and they understand the long lasting impact that school has on their child’s development and trajectory of learning. For more than a century, the Montessori Method of education has been thriving and modern research is beginning to validate the Montessori Method.
In Montessori, teachers help to develop the whole child: academic achievement, their independence, social skills, executive functioning, and fostering the ability to be curious lifelong learners.
How Montessori Education works. Short course from Prepared Montessorian.
https://www.udemy.com/course/how-montessori-education-works/
A side-by-side comparison of Montessori Education vs. Conventional Education.
| Montessori | Conventional |
|---|---|
| Time Variable, Mastery Fixed. | Time Fixed, Mastery Variable. |
| Based on helping the natural development of the human being. | Based on the transfer of a national curriculum. |
| The teacher works in collaboration with the children. (Time variable) | The class is teacher led. (Time fixed) |
| Children learn at their own pace and follow their own individual interests. (Time variable) | Children learn from a set curriculum according to a time frame that is the same for everyone. (Time fixed) |
| Children teach themselves using materials specially prepared for that purpose. | Children are taught by the teacher. |
| Understanding comes through the child’s own experiences via the materials and the promotion of children’s ability to find things out for themselves. (Mastery fixed) | Learning is based on subjects and is limited to what is given. (Mastery variable) |
| Learning is based on the fact that physical exploration and cognition are linked. | Children sit at desks and learn from lectures and worksheets. |
| The child’s individual development brings its own reward and therefore motivation. (Mastery fixed) | Motivation is achieved by a system of rewards and punishments. |
| Three hours of uninterrupted time to work. (Time variable) | Regularly interrupted and transitioned. Child has no say in how they spend their time. (Time fixed) |
| Multi-age classrooms. Lessons are given to small groups of based on ability and readiness. (Time variable) | Classes segregated by age. Lessons are given to groups based on birthday. (Time fixed) |
| Cooperation and collaboration with peers is encouraged. | Social interactions are discouraged during class time. |
| Children complete follow-up work in the classroom under the guidance of the teacher. (Mastery fixed) | Children complete homework to practice lessons, without a teacher, at home. (Mastery variable) |
| Mastery is assessed through informal tests. The next lesson is only given once mastery is achieved. (Mastery fixed) | Mastery is assessed through standardized tests. Class continues regardless of mastery level. (Mastery variable) |
| Result: A love of learning, ability to think for oneself. | Result: Learning is a duty, ability to follow. |