The Montessori education method is an alternative to traditional approaches to education that are imposed in mainstream schools. The Montessori program places a strong emphasis on self-direction and cooperation between students. It does not promote a competitive environment. Instead, it molds the student to have a strong self-image and face challenges in life with optimism and a strong solution-oriented attitude, which will hopefully lead to a high level of academic and social competence.
Instead of following a lot of rules and adhering to many standards, children who underwent Montessori education are trained to become problem solvers who can make the right choices and manage their time better. They are also taught to work collaboratively with others by exchanging ideas and discussions freely. The students are viewed as active participants in the learning process. Thus, they are allowed and encouraged to move freely and explore the learning environment, with the teacher acting as an instructional facilitator and guide. On the other hand, traditional classroom settings relegate the student to a passive role. The teacher controls all activities and is a dominant presence in the learning experience.
In terms of discipline, the Montessori method has a carefully prepared learning environment and carefully designed learning methods, which encourages motivation to study and discipline mainly through the effort of the students themselves. With traditional learning methods on the other hand, the teacher is given the freedom to enforce discipline as he or she sees fit, which leads to extrinsic motivation on the students’ part.
Traditional educational methods are designed with a core curriculum in mind, which are characterized by certain benchmarks. Instructional methods, whether group or individual, will then have to abide by these standards. On the other hand, Montessori education allows more room to adapt to students’ different learning styles and levels of development.
