Montessori Method vs Conventional Method of Education

Montessori education prepares the child for a lifetime of learning. “Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire ‘to make him learn things,’ but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence.” 

– Maria Montessori

For many parents, the Montessori approach to education is so different from the school they attended. Trevor Eissler discovered Montessori when his child started preschool. In his book, Montessori Madness, a persuasive argument is made for Montessori education. Mr. Eissler created a Fast Draw presentation on the differences between Montessori and conventional schools. We invite you to view a quick comparison between the two methods of teaching. Watch Video

Sir Ken Robinson, PhD, is an internationally recognized leader in education, creativity, and innovation. His TED talks have been viewed by an estimated 200 million people. He has worked with governments and businesses across the globe on issues of education and creativity. His presentation on the Reformation of Public School illuminates the problems of the current public educational system.  Sir Robinson points out how conventional schools are based on the Industrial Age factory model creating “standardized” students. He believes that creativity is as important as literacy. Yet, today the arts are being taken out of public education due to budget cuts. In Riverbend Elementary classes, in addition to a formal art class, the students incorporate art into their lessons. Recently, after visiting the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the students painted pictures of the plants and animals seen on the field trip.

Our children’s education must prepare them for a future we cannot grasp. We have no idea of what the world will look like in five years; yet, we must educate children for a world 20 years in the future. Montessori classrooms develop the child’s inner motivation to learn. The children are encouraged to be independent. They are self-directed, responsible learners, and Montessori students become life long learners. Surely, these are life skills that will prepare the students for their future.