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Comparison between Montessori and Traditional Methods
| Montessori | Traditional |
| Child sets own learning pace to internalize information | Instruction pace usually set by group norm or teacher |
| Child works as long as he or she wishes on chosen project | Child generally given specific time period for work |
| Child formulates own concepts from self teaching materials | Child is guided to concepts by teacher |
| Teacher has unobtrusive role in classroom activities: child is an active participant in learning | Teacher has dominant, active role in classroom activity: child is a passive participant in learning |
| Child chooses own work from interest and abilities | Curriculum structured for children with little regard to child’s interest |
| Mixed age grouping | Same age grouping |
| Children are encouraged to teach, collaborate and help each other | Most teaching is done by teacher and collaboration is discouraged |
| Child can work where he or she is comfortable, moves around and talks at will (yet disturbs not the work of others); group work is voluntary and negotiable | Child usually assigned own chair; encouraged to sit still and listen during group sessions |
| Child spots own errors through feedback from material | If work is corrected, errors usually pointed out by teacher |
| Learning is reinforced internally through a repetition of activity and internal feelings of success | Learning is reinforced externally by rote repetition and rewards/discouragements. |
| Instruction both individual and group, adapts to each child’s learning style | Instruction both individual and group conforms to adult’s teaching style |
| Environment and method encourage internal self discipline | Teacher acts as enforcer of discipline |
| Emphasis on cognitive structure and social development | Emphasis on rote knowledge and social development |
| Multi-sensory materials for physical exploration | Fewer materials for sensory development and concrete manipulation |
| Organized program for learning care of self and environment (brushing teeth, washing dishes after eating, responsible for keeping classroom clean, etc.) | Less emphasis on self care instruction and classroom maintenance |
| Parental involvement and understanding Montessori learning philosophy encouraged and offered | Parental involvement minimal at outside events like fundraisers and no effort placed on parental understanding of learning process. |