Montessori vs. Traditional
Comparison chart
| MONTESSORI | TRADITIONAL |
| Focus first on respect, caring and love of learning | Focus first on academic success |
| Mixed age grouping | Same age grouping |
| Teacher has an unobtrusive role in classroom | Teacher is center of classroom as "controller" |
| Mainly individual instruction | Mainly group instruction |
| Child chooses own work | Curriculum is structured for the child |
| Child can work where he chooses, move around and talk at will (yet not disturb the work of others); group work is voluntary | Child is usually assigned his/her own chair; encouraged to participate, sit still and listen during group sessions |
| Child discovers own concepts from self teaching materials | Child is guided to concepts by the teacher |
| Child works as long as he wishes on chosen project | Child is generally allotted specific time for work |
| Child sets own learning pace | Instruction pace is usually set by group norm |
| Child spots own errors from feedback of material | If work is corrected, errors are usually pointed out by the teacher |
| Child reinforces own learning by repetition of work and internal feelings of success | Learning is reinforced externally by repetition and rewards |
| Environment and method encourage self-discipline | Teacher is primary enforcer of discipline |
| Grouping encourages children to teach and help each other | Most teaching is done by teacher |
| Multi-sensory materials for physical exploration | Fewer materials for sensory development |
| Organized program for learning care of self and environment | Less emphasis on self-care instruction |
| Organized program for parents to understand the Montessori philosophy and participate in the learning process | Voluntary parent involvement |
