| Montessori |
Conventional |
| Child-Centered Class |
Teacher-Centered class |
| Small teacher-pupil ratio |
Large teacher-pupil ratio |
| Teacher is a "Facilitator" |
Teacher is the center of class as a "Controller" |
| Environment and Method encourages self-discipline |
Teacher acts as primary Enforcer of discipline |
| Mainly individual instruction |
Mainly group instruction |
| Mixed Age Grouping |
Same Age Grouping |
| Age Grouping encourages children to teach and help each other |
Most teaching done by teacher |
| Child chooses his own work within a Prepared Environment |
Curriculum chosen for child |
| Child discovers his own concepts |
Child is given concepts by the teacher |
| Child works as long as he chooses at a certain activity |
Child allotted certain time for work |
| Child sets his own learning pace |
Pace usually set by Group Norm |
| Child spots own error from feedback of material |
If work is corrected, errors usually pointed out by teacher |
| Child reinforces own learning by repetition of work and internal feelings of success |
Learning is reinforced externally by repetition and Rote memorization of facts |
| Multi-Sensory materials for physical exploration |
Few materials for Sensory Development |
| Organized program for learning Care of Self & Environment and Grace & Courtesy |
No organized program for Self-Care instruction - left primarily to parents |
| Child can work, move around and talk at will WITHOUT disturbing others' work. Group Work is optional. |
Child usually assigned own chair and required to participate, sit still and listen to Group Lessons. |
