Developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, the Montessori educational approach comes from scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood. For over 100 years and across different cultures, this method has shown enormous success as an educational tool.
Essentially, the viewpoint states that children have a natural thirst for knowledge and can learn a vast amount if put in a supportive, precise and prepared environment. It values the human spirit and strives to achieve a well-rounded development of the physical, social, emotional and cognitive aspects of the child.
But how does this method differ from the goals of traditional preschool and day care options? If you’re asking that question, you’ve come to the right place.
If you’re asking that question, you’ve come to the right place.
Montessori vs. Preschool in Parker, CO
Learning methods centered around social development is the main focus throughout the environment that this preschool in Parker, CO offers. If you evaluate traditional preschools, you’ll find some of the following characteristics:
- The teacher is center of attention in the classroom.
- Teachers act as the primary disciplinarian.
- Students receive group and individual instruction.
- Students are grouped based on age.
- Teaching responsibilities lie solely with the teacher.
- The curriculum is structured for the child.
- Teachers guide students to learn the concepts.
- Students have an allotted time to complete assignments.
- The group’s average speed sets the learning pace.
- Teachers point out errors made by students.
- Learning happens through external rewards and repetition.
- Materials don’t place heavy focus on sensory development.
- Parents may or may not get involved in the learning process.
In contrast to the education provided by these schools, a Montessori school gives students a different experience. While it focuses on developing a child’s social skills, it also strives to help cultivate strong cognitive abilities.
When your child enters this type of learning environment, they’ll receive an education that features these characteristics:
- The teacher takes an nonobstructive role in the classroom.
- Self-discipline is taught and encouraged.
- Students learn through individual instruction.
- Classrooms are grouped with mixed ages.
- Students are encouraged to help and teach each other.
- Students choose the type of work.
- Self-teaching tasks help students discover concepts on their own.
- Assignments do not have time constraints.
- Student find their own errors in feedback material.
- Learning happens through internal feelings of success and repetition.
- Physical exploration occurs through multi-sensory materials.
- Organized programs teach students about care for oneself and the environment.
- Students work wherever they want, move around and talk to one another.
- Parents join programs and participate in the Montessori learning process.
Many parents find that the Montessori method gives a heightened experience of learning. When compared to traditional preschools, it’s clear why many prefer this method.
Montessori vs. Day Care in Parker, CO
Working parents want their children to stay in a safe, comfortable environment throughout the day. This can happen with the availability of day care Parker CO provides.
Before comparing traditional day care to Montessori methods, it’s important to understand the basic differences between day care and preschool. Because most Montessori schools are a type of preschool, contrasting those options will paint a picture of the vast dissimilarity between Montessori and day care.
Essentially, the differences fall within five basic categories. We’ll briefly discuss each one:
- Hours
- Preschool: May only be in session a couple days each week for a few hours.
- Day Care: Generally lasts through most, if not all, of the workday.
- Philosophy
- Preschool: Most feature a type of educational philosophy for students.
- Day Care: Most don’t craft a specific philosophy for education.
- Parental Involvement
- Preschool: Often requires quite a bit of parental involvement. It includes a range of things, from strict sick policies to days (or weeks) of transition to parent-teacher conferences.
- Day Care: Most don’t require much parental involvement. For example, things like sickness only raise concern when a child has had a fever for more than 24 hours.
- Fundraising
- Preschool: Prepare to get involved in a variety of fundraising efforts, from galas to socials to plain ol’ book fairs.
- Day Care: Generally don’t have fundraisers.
- Tuition
- Preschool: Many preschools charge tuition and fees for attending the school.
- Day Care: Many offer free or inexpensive services to parents.
Given the differences between traditional preschool and day care, it’s clear that there’s a gulf between most day care facilities and the structured educational system provided by academies using the Montessori methods.
Which Learning Avenue Will You Take?
Ultimately, you must choose which method will work best for your family. Your child must learn in an environment that serves their needs and desires, but parents also have questions and concerns that require addressing.
For some, more traditional methods make sense. But for others, the methods laid out by Dr. Montessori speak to the overall educational goals and learning methods the child needs.
Now the question is: Which learning avenue will you and your child take?
