Montessori vs.

Mainstream
An Educational Comparison
Montessori

Mainstream

Based on helping the natural

Based on the transfer of a national

development of the human being.

curriculum.

Children learn at their own pace and

Children learn from a set curriculum

follow their own individual interests.

according to a time frame that is the

same for everyone.

Children teach themselves using

Children are taught by the teacher.

materials specially prepared for

that purpose.
Understanding comes through the

Learning is based on subjects and

childs own experiences via the

is limited to what is given.

materials and the promotion of

childrens ability to find things out
for themselves.
Learning is based on the fact that

Children sit at desks and learn from

physical exploration and cognition

a whiteboard and worksheets.

are linked.
The teacher works in collaboration

The class is teacher led.

with the children.

The childs individual development

Motivation is achieved by a system

brings its own reward and therefore

of rewards and punishments.

motivation.
Uninterrupted work cycles.

Block time, period lessons.

Multi-age classrooms.

Single-graded classrooms.

Working and learning matched to

Working and learning without

the social development of the child.

emphasis on social development.

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