Parents are often crunched when they see terms like “child-centered”, “faith-based,” “holistic learning,” and “Montessori Approach” in front of them. Little do we know about all the methodologies that exist, choosing the right one becomes an overwhelming task. 

Wading through all the terminology, there arises a need to select an education method that best suits the child, as well as the family. 

The two veteran teaching methodologies that baffle the parents are Montessori schooling and Traditional schooling. A glut of information is available across the internet, which makes it difficult for parents to understand the methods in a thorough manner. Before finalizing your child’s admission to the Canadian International School, talk with friends, family and gather as much information as you can. 

If you are sorted with few options, start evaluating the curriculum, structure, environment. Do not miss any of the factors that can impact your child’s development. 

You know your child better than anybody else, so it would be solely your decision to decide which teaching style will suit them well. The next section of this blog talks about some fundamental differences between Montessori education and the Traditional schooling method. Keep reading… 

Learning Approach:

Montessori education system imparts learning through self-discipline, watching, reading, listening, and motivating. A child here not only grows physically but, emotional and moral development are also considered in their teaching approach.

Children are free to pick up their choice of activity and learn at their own pace. A child’s success is judged based on their own internal sense of success and not rewards or grading system. 

On the other hand, the traditional school’s teaching method more looks like learning through cramming. Children's’ lack of practical knowledge and success are judged on the basis of rewards, punishments, and grades. 

Structure:

Traditional school teachers are bound to work in a set curriculum. It’s all left on the child to adjust themselves with the set framework. If the child can not fit, his/her development is hampered. 

With Montessori, there is no pre-determined curriculum. A child learns on his/her own abilities to grasp things. The flexibility in curriculum facilitates the child’s individual development. The personalized teaching method encourages growth and learning. 

Thus, a child doesn’t have to adjust in the rigid structures but are free to explore and grow independently. Montessori method fosters collaboration with peers of different ages, which is not covered in the traditional schooling system. 

Age groups:

Law in Canada states that a child must enroll in schools at the age of 5 or 6. A traditional school’s kindergarten starts at the age of 4. Where else, a child younger than four years is allowed to get enrolled in a Montessori school. The school allows enrolling of children from the age of 1 year. A child benefits the most from the Montessori education type. 

Given the fact that the child starts early, they are free to roam around with people of different age groups and have a more enriched environment compared to Traditional schools. The multi-age classrooms enable peer collaboration and provide the child with an opportunity of playing and learning from the elders. 

Montessori system doesn’t force the child to mingle with the same age group children, and as a result, you see better development of the child’s mental and learning abilities. 

Secondary language:

A study covered in the BBC article states that “bilingual children are better at problem-solving skills.” A number of other studies prove that learning another language different from your own has a positive impact on brain development. 

The positive effects are useful in the long run. Montessori education system supports the development of second language skills. Children who learn bilingual languages tend to have a greater attention span and multi-tasking skills. Better social growth is also observed among them and thus they can have more career opportunities in the future. 

Montessori system integrated French and Spanish languages in their curriculum which children are not just taught but made to understand the same. 

Traditional schools include the French language in grade 4, while, Montessori Kindergarten Learning Centre has French classes from the age of 3. 

Disciplined Approach:

Learning through rewards and punishment is incomplete learning. A child who is weak mentally will lose it all if punished for no major reason. Montessori’s approach is a more holistic one. The discipline level is not attained by forcing children to behave in a particular way but allowing them to behave normally like they are at home. 

Children are allowed to learn from their own mistakes and are never punished for undesired behavior. The external enforcing of disciplined behavior may, at times, make them weak, and they tend to take learning otherwise. They self learn on managing their behavior according to the consequences of mistakes and actions. 

Approach to manners:

Montessori’s approach believes in complete child development from physical to social. The environment enables the child to develop self-discipline skills on their own and learn mannerisms at the same time. 

The traditional school’s approach is quite different when it comes to this factor. They believe that a child should learn manners on their own. Children who learn mannerism on their own excel out in social situations and professional lives. 

Error handling:

Children at Montessori are taught to handle their own mistakes and find a solution to it. They are taught to manipulate things around them to get away through the problem. Traditional schooling methods are very much dependent on teachers. The teacher’s approach to solving problem is considered the final one. The teacher themselves, find the errors and ways to find the corrections. Montessori’s approach is a more independent one while solving mistakes. 

Environment: 

Every parent definitely wants their child to blossom when they send them to school. The child should flourish on their own and should fall in love with learning. This is exactly what Montessori education type believes in.

The classrooms are designed in a way that imparts warmth and looks more welcoming. They provide the child with hands-on materials with which they can experiment and self-learn. The place looks less stressful and more fun-filled. You will be surprised to see tables, chairs, and every single article personalized and made of the size that is easily accessible by the particular age group.

Pace:

Montessori education type encourages children’s development at their own pace. The education doesn’t expect a child to grow in only a particular direction; instead, they are allowed to explore the activities on their own.

Whichever subject they find interesting is taught to them. No time frame is defined for their learning throughout the years in the Canada International school. 

The traditional school’s approach is quite pre-defined and doesn’t allow the child to explore things on their own.

Takeaways:

We hope you choose the best for your child and make a smart decision. The decision of schooling methods will yield long-lasting results. We wish you good luck with searching.