Non-graded (two or three year age span)
Students “work” at tables, group lessons on floor with freedom of movement
Children pursue their own self-paced curriculum, individually or in small groups, in various parts of environment
Children work independently
Purposeful and self-selected work provides internal self-discipline
Through observation, teacher adjusts instruction to child’s learning style. Most lessons given on a one to one basis.
Practical life skills are central to overall curriculum
Child can work where he/she is comfortable, moves around and talks at will (yet disturbs not the work of others
Children grouped chronologically
Class seated at desks much of the time
Class, as a group, studies one subject at a time
Children are dependent on the teacher
Discipline is external to child via the authority of the teacher
Instruction, both individual and group, is adapted to adult’s teaching style. Most lessons given in small to large group.
Child expected to have acquired self-care skills prior to entering school
Child assigned own chair and expected to spend most of the school day stationary.