A Comparison of Montessori and Conventional Education
From “The Essential Montessori” by Elizabeth G. Hainstock
Montessori
Three-year age span (mixed age in one classroom)
Teacher assists and guides
Self-correcting concrete materials, learn through trial and error
More individual learning (self-taught and motivated)
Teacher is observer and directress
Child completes “cycles of activity” (self time management)
Freedom to move and work within classroom
Emphasis on independence
Encouraged to help one another (cooperation)
Emphasis on hands-on learning, reality-orientated
Child can go as far as capable
Emphasis on free choice, initiative
Conventional
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All one age (same age in one classroom)
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Teacher lectures
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Teacher corrects errors most of the time
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Group learning through white board (depend on teachers)
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Teacher is focal point and dominant influence
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Activity cycles determined by set time by teachers
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Assigned seats and specific class periods
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Emphasis on compliance
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Seek help from the teachers
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Emphasis on abstract, much role-playing or academic based
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Child stays at pace with class
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Emphasis on following directions