Montessori vs. Traditional Kindergarten
Both Montessori and traditional kindergarten preschools have the same goal of providing a learning experience for its children. However, the methods used to cultivate this learning experience varies vastly.
The Montessori Method of education, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood. Dr. Montessori’s Method has been time tested, with over 100 years of success in diverse cultures throughout the world.
Montessori is a view of the child as one who is naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared learning environment. It is an approach that values the human spirit and the development of the whole child—physical, social, emotional and cognitive.
Watch the video below for a narration of the core benefits of Montessori compared to traditional kindergarten preschools. (Narrated by Trevor Eissler from 321 FastDraw)
Montessori School
Emphasis on cognitive development
Multi-age grouping
Teacher to child ratio is around 1-10
Emphasis on the child
Environment and methods encourage self discipline
Primarily individual instruction
Grouping encourages child to teach and help others
Child discovers their own concepts from self-teaching materials
Child sets their own learning pace
Child spots errors from self-correcting materials
Child reinforces learning by repetition
Multi-Sensory materials for physical exploration
Organized program for learning care of self and the environment
Goal is to foster love of learning
Traditional Preschool
Emphasis on social development
Same-age grouping
Teacher to child ratio is around 1-25
Emphasis on the teacher
Teacher acts as primary enforcer of discipline
Primarily group instruction
Most teaching is only done by the teacher
Child is guided into concepts by the teacher
The instruction pace is usually set by the group
If work is incorrect, errors are usually pointed out by the teacher
Learning is reinforced externally by repetition, reward and punishment
Few materials for sensory development
No organized program for self care instruction
Goal is to master core curricula objectives
“Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future.”
-Dr. Maria Montessori
Sunflower Montessori Preschool is here to Prepare Your Child for the Future
The environment at Sunflower Montessori Preschool is crafted carefully to adhere to all Montessori guidelines mentioned above to develop a child’s self-discipline and independence. These qualities, and the adaptability of young children in general, allow Montessori children to adjust readily to new situations in and outside the classroom.
Learn more about Sunflower Montessori Preschool of Van Nuys on our Homepage.