What are the basic differences between traditional preschools and Montessori preschools?
(1)
Montessori schools mix age groups. A Montessori preschool will include children ages 2 years, 9 months through age 6 (i.e., inclusive of the kindergarten year).
(2)
Although variations do exist, Montessori preschools generally meet five days a week. This helps the children establish a consistent weekday routine and encourages rapid mastery of the learning materials. (At Barat, we offer a 3-day program in which our beginning students experience exposure to the Montessori curriculum in a modified way. The 3-day program is intended, however, to serve as an entrée to the 5-day program in subsequent years.)
(3)
Traditional schools are teacher-centered. Information and feedback generally flow from the teacher to her students. In Montessori environments, the classroom is student-centered. Information and feedback generally flow from learning tools directly to the student.
(4)
In a traditional school, the class often works as a group on a single project at a time. In a Montessori environment, each child works at his or her own pace on individually selected materials.
(5)
The subject matter mastered by most Montessori preschoolers is advanced by traditional preschool standards. Many learn to read and master higher-level math concepts by age five.
(6)
In a traditional setting, the teacher's role is to impart information to the students and to offer feedback. In a Montessori setting, the teacher's role is
(A)
to carefully prepare the learning environment,
(B)
briefly demonstrate the self-correcting learning materials, and
(C)
observe each individual child's interaction with the materials so that new materials can be presented as needed.
(7)
The Montessori atmosphere is usually calm and quiet during work periods. Children are absorbed in their work.
(8)
The Montessori environment is intentionally orderly. Materials are well organized. Décor is generally neutral so as not to be distracting or overly stimulating.
(9)
The materials are placed at the children's level. Furnishings are child-size.
(10)
Montessori classrooms usually contain a marked circle on the floor and marked lines in the hallway to help children get organized during school transition times (e.g., recess, circle time, dismissal)
(11)
There are relatively few group lessons. While the class does meet as a whole a couple of times a day, and occasional group projects are given, the majority of time is spent on individual work with the materials.
Montessori preschools include children ages 2 years, 9 months through age 6 (i.e., inclusive of the kindergarten year). Developmentally appropriate work is offered to all children. The group is never segregated by age. This structure offers the following benefits:
(1)
Younger students experience the daily stimulation of older role models who, in turn, blossom with the responsibilities of leadership.
(2)
Children move through the curriculum at their own pace. There is no pressure to keep up with or slow down for classmates.
(3)
Students not only learn with each other, but from each other. The best teacher for a three-year old of a particular skill is often a four-year-old who has mastered that skill. The best way to reinforce a learned skill of a five-year-old is often to allow him to teach it to a four-year-old.
(4)
Finally, mixed age groups allow children to work with the same teacher(s) for up to three years.
