Today's early education programs offer plenty of flexibility for parents who want their children to get a head start in learning. The traditional classroom with whiteboard is no longer the only option. Montessori programs in in Northern California offer an alternative class structure designed to help children participate in and begin to love learning. If you're deciding between a traditional and Montessori school, here are a few of the ways the two classrooms differ.
In the traditional classroom, students sit at desks and receive lessons from an authoritarian figure at the front of the room. At a Montessori Fremont school, students are free to move around, explore the area and interact with peers (as long as they aren't being disruptive). This approach allows young students to find just the right space where they are comfortable learning. Teachers are trained to closely monitor each student's activities and assist those who may need special attention.
The transfer of information in a traditional education allows students to be passive. The teacher delivers information from the front of the room, and students are expected to memorize it before the teacher moves on to the next lesson. However, not all students learn in the same way or at the same pace Montessori students take an active role in their education and learn at their own pace. The curriculum grows to meet each student's needs rather than remaining static.
The curricula presented within the traditional setting are developed according to national standards that are based on averages. A system that is targeted for the average student necessarily neglects outliers. Furthermore, the teacher, as the authority figure, provides external rewards or punishments. In contrast, the Montessori system encourages children to explore and to self-reward for development, allowing students to build self-esteem and establish a love of learning in a natural setting.
Finally, traditional education is focused primarily on academic growth. While intellectual development is certainly a cornerstone of children's success, the Montessori system ultimately helps children become more well-rounded individuals by encouraging them to grow emotionally, socially, cognitively and spiritually. Thus, Montessori schools in the Bay Area are a great setting in which children can try their strengths and acquire lifelong skills.