A COMPARISON OF MONTESSORI AND

TRADITIONAL PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION

MONTESSORI

TRADITIONAL

·three-year age span ·all one age 
·motivated by self-development ·teacher-motivated
·self-correcting material ·teacher corrects errors
·children learn by handling objects and teaching themselves ·teacher lectures
·teacher is observer and directress ·teacher is focal point and dominant influence
·child completes  “cycles of activity” ·activity cycles determined by set time
·freedom to move and work within classroom ·assigned seats and specific class periods
·work for joy of learning and sense of discovery ·work because they are told to
·child provides own stimulus to learning ·teacher provides
·child centered learning environment ·teacher centered
·quiet by choice and out of regard for others ·quiet enforced
·materials used for specific purpose with sequence of steps ·materials used in many ways without previous instruction
·environment provides discipline ·teacher provides discipline
·encouraged to help one another ·seek help from teacher
·child chooses materials ·teacher sets curriculum
·child sets own pace ·teacher sets pace
·child free to discover on own ·teacher guides child
·emphasis on concrete ·emphasis on abstract