Montessori Theory
Each child is valued as a unique individual
Compare a Montessori Vs. Public School Education
Montessori Education | Public School Education |
---|---|
Teacher has a guiding role | Teacher controls classroom |
Environment and method encourage self-discipline. | Teaching is done solely by teacher; collaboration is limited |
Grouping encourages children to teach and collaborate | Errors in child’s work highlighted by teacher |
Child spots own errors from feedback of material | Learning is enforced primarily by repetition, rewards and punishment |
Child reinforces own learning by repetition of work and internal feelings of success | No organized program for self-care learning-left primarily up to parents |
Multi-sensory materials enhance the learning of self-care and caring for the environment | Children are in the same chronological group |
Combined classes (two- or three-year age span) offer a more natural social setting | Class seated at desks most of the time |
Students “work” at various venues; group lessons on floor with freedom of movement | Entire class studies one subject at a time regardless of interest or academic level of children |
Children pursue their own self-paced curriculum, individually or in small groups, in various parts of the classroom | Entire class studies one subject at a time regardless of interest or academic level of children |
Long blocks of time and relatively few interruptions permit invaluable concentration | Class schedules and frequent interruptions limit child’s concentration |
Critical cognitive skills developed before kindergarten | Postponement of cognitive development until first grade |
Phonetically based, multi-sensory learning; more flexible writing and reading opportunities | Traditional “see and say” method |
Implicit trust and respect for every child | Teacher constantly police children’s interactions |
Each child learns and his/her own pace | Mass teaching method |
Subjects are intertwined | Subjects are compartmentalized |
Children are self-motivated | Children are rewarded and punished |
Enrichment classes-all included
Included in your tuition, your child will have Spanish, Dance and music once a week. Elementary and junior high school students will also have computer science and P.E. once a week.