Montessori At-A-Glance
The basic principle of Montessori philosophy emphasizes learning through all 5 senses. The environment in our school has a wide range of materials that are specifically developed for the young child in areas of Everyday Living, Sensorial, Math, Language, Geography, and Science. Direction is provided through the form of individualized attention, as well as small group lessons. The materials and exercises provide for a unique experience for the children to experience hands-on learning.
MONTESSORI Classroom
Three year span
Motivated by self-development
Self-correcting materials
Children learn by handling objects and teaching themselves
Individual learning
Teacher is observer and director
Child completes “cycle of activity”
Few interruptions
Freedom to move and work within the classroom
Emphasis on more cognitive learning
Quiet by choice and out of regard for others
Materials used for specific purpose with sequence of steps
Work for joy of working and sense of discovery
The environment provides discipline
Encourage to help one another
Child chooses materials
Child sets own pace
Child free to discover on own emphasis on concentrate
Reality-oriented
Specific place of materials, sense of order
TRADITIONAL Classroom
All one age
Teacher- motivated
Graded
Teacher corrects errors
Teacher lectures
Group learning
Teacher is focal point and dominant influence
Activity cycles determined by set time
Frequent Interruptions
Assigned seats and specific class periods
Postponement of 3R’s, emphasis on social development
Quiet enforced
Materials used in many ways without previous instructions
Work because they’re told do
Teacher provides discipline
Seek help from teacher
Teacher sets curriculum
Teacher sets pace
Emphasis on abstract
Much role-playing and fantasy
Random placement, not necessary to return to specific place
Teacher provides
Teacher-centered
Use of reward and punishment in motivation
All children treated alike
Play materials for nonspecific skills