Schools play a dramatically different role in shaping a child’s overall personality. As per the newspaper reports published in Frontiers in Psychology, it is seen that Montessori education is superior to traditional education methods, especially when it comes to long-term psychological development and overall well-being.
The reports further highlight the desirable outcomes it provides children regarding performance, social behaviour and relationship. Here in this article, we have tried to pinpoint the difference between traditional and Montessori classrooms.
1. The Global Montessori Plus Philosophy
The Global Montessori Plus has a child-centred philosophy. It means the children are not pushed to learn the concepts; they learn at their pace as per their interests, while in traditional education, a set of rules are followed
They are pushed beyond imagination to grasp the concepts, or even the teachers might ask them to memorise it without understanding the logic behind it.
2. Curriculum
The Global Montessori Plus curriculum strengthens the five key areas: numeracy, language, cultural studies, practical studies and sensorial using a different set of educational materials. In contrast, traditional schools have a prescribed curriculum that uses rote learning methods to make the students aware of different concepts.
3. Independence
The main essence of taking primary school admission in Montessori school is the children become independent. The Montessori educators present lessons to the children and the key outcome; the children then work together to explore the connections and outcomes.
During this, the educators watch the children and document their learning progress. An educator will intervene only when required. It helps the children to learn new skills independently.
However, in traditional schools, the learning outcome and lessons are delivered to the students without any scope for independent thinking.
4. Learning styles
Primary school admission in Montessori is the best bet because it follows an innovative approach wherein the educators believe every child is intelligent and has a unique learning style.
With this in mind, the educators provide different materials and various activities that let them pursue their area of interest.
This approach motivates the students and instils confidence among them. In the traditional approach, the teachers deliver the lectures, and every student has to take an interest in it whether they like it or not.
5. In Montessori, teachers become role models.
We all know the three golden words that can make anyone meltdown- please, sorry and thank you. However, in Montessori schools, these words are not taught only theoretically.
The teacher’s role also inspires good behaviour and manners in the classroom to inspire the students. Besides that, they also discuss the children’s feelings so that they learn to express themselves. Doing so develops their emotional intelligence. In a traditional preschool, the teachers don’t act as role models.
6. The students learn playfully even during their break time.
In traditional schools, recess is given to break the monotony. However, in a Montessori environment, recess is not needed as the learning is not always done on a blackboard in the four walls of the classroom.
Rather they explore concepts by gardening, visiting outdoor areas, and playing with maths materials and blocks that develop their sensory skills and imagination.
Where to take primary school admission that follows the Montessori curriculum?
GIIS is the best school to trust upon. It follows a holistic development approach that trains students’ intellectual and emotional health. The school makes them actively participate in various activities that help them become valuable citizens.
Bottom line
The traditional schools are outdated since they do not aim to develop the child holistically. On the other hand, Montessori is an innovative approach that makes the children learn as per their abilities without losing their interest.