| MONTESSORI |
TRADITIONAL |
| Three-year age range ages (0-3), (3-6 ) |
All one age |
| Motivated by child’s self-development |
Educator-motivated |
| Self-correcting material |
Educator corrects errors |
| Children learn by handling objects and teaching themselves |
Educator lectures |
| Educator is observer |
Educator is focal point and dominant influence |
| Child completes “cycles of activity” |
Activity cycles determined by set time |
| Freedom to move and work within room |
Assigned set times throughout the day |
| Work for joy of learning and sense of discovery |
Work because they are told to |
| Child provides own stimulus to learning |
Educator provides information |
| Child centred learning environment |
Educator centred |
| Quiet by choice and out of regard for others |
Quiet enforced |
| Materials used for specific purpose with sequence of steps |
Materials used in many ways without previous instruction |
| Environment provides discipline |
Educator provides discipline |
| Encouraged to help one another |
Seek help from Educator |
| Child chooses materials |
Educator sets curriculum |
| Child sets own pace |
Educator sets child’s pace |
| Child free to discover on his / her own |
Educator guides child |
| Emphasis on concrete |
Emphasis on abstract |
