Differences between Montessori school and other Traditional schools.

• Child-centred education

  The great difference is its emphasis on being child-centred. Children develop at different paces, and they have different strengths and interests. We follow the individual child’s interests using observation, and planning for individuals.

  In traditional schools every child in the class must follow one path set out by the teacher.

• Organized and calm environment

  Each classroom is divided into certain learning areas with a specific order. The classroom is calm, organised and uncluttered to avoid distraction and to emphasize that this is a learning space.

  Traditional classrooms use bright colours, posters, decorations, and loud music in the background to excite children. Montessori classrooms aim to stimulate children’s minds with quality lessons.

• The child’s inner teacher

  Children teach themselves using materials specially designed for a purpose while the teacher only acts as guidance.

  Understanding comes through the child’s own experiences via the materials and the promotion of the child’s ability to find things out for themselves.

  In traditional classrooms, learning is based on subjects and is limited to what is given by the teacher.

• Promote self-motivation

  The child’s individual development brings its own reward and therefore motivation.

  In traditional classrooms, motivation is achieved by a system of rewards.

• No time limit

  Children are allowed to work as long as they wish on chosen activities, and not generally given specific time limits for work.

• Interruptions are minimal

  Montessori teachers respect a child’s concentration. If a child is deeply engaged in their work, the teacher allows them to finish what they are working on. Therefore, their work cycles are uninterrupted work cycles.

  In traditional schools, there are in blocks of time/lesson periods, regardless of the children’s levels of interest.

• Mixed age groups.

  Montessori classrooms have mixed aged groups, and not all children of the same age.

  This has a great influence on the cultural development of the child. It helps children to develop relationship among themselves. In the Montessori classroom, we often see the small ones intently watching the work of others, particularly the older ones. By doing this, they absorb much more than it seems, and are already preparing themselves for more active social participation in the class.

  You can’t imagine how well a young child watches and learns from an older child, and how patient the older child is with the difficulties of the younger ones in a Montessori classroom.

• Gain wider skills

  We share a focus on the acquisition of academic, social, practical and life skills. Most traditional classrooms focus mainly on academic subjects.