Montessori Learning vs. Traditional Learning? Which is best for your child? What are the pros & cons? What is the differences?

Montessori is an active way of learning through a childs interests & their ability to learn at their own pace. They are grouped in mixed age groups of 3 years. such as 0-3, 3-6, 6-9 and 9-12 years. They can work on anything of interest while creating a self directed discipline. They are able to learn more subjects &  faster on subjects mastered. They may spend more time on those that are more difficult until they understand the concept. Each lesson is geared towards the individual not the national standards of the "norm". This way of learning is based on self esteem building, exploration & the childs ability to work alone & in groups as a problem solver. Montessori children learn early on about choices, helping one another & follow through on work projects. There isn't really a grading system as kids are not really graded but simply the teacher observes. Children are active in this type of school environment. They are free to socialize at anytime and walk around the classroom at will. They are able to move about freely. They don't sit at desks to listen to instruction but they play learning games, they do puzzles, they work on bead frames to learn math, the pink tower for sensory, they learn history, geometry basic concepts early on. They have the ability to sit on the floor to learn or at a desk. They have the ability to learn and explore at their own pace. This environment allows for children to all be doing something different, whatever their interest is. This approach is based on each childs ability not the normal standards.

Thus traditional learning will not offer the ability to move beyond a specific point of academics within that age range. They offer the teacher as the dominat person in the classroom with children as passive participants. They also have a structured program based on standards and the "average child". We all know that children are not the same? Children can not all learn at the same pace? Many have a gift in math and need to move on but in traditional methods of teaching are not able to go beyond a certain point. Some schools have special programs for gifted childrens but not all, many don't have the funding and have the average learning standards based on tests for the curriculum. Some kids find math difficult & need more time learning before moving on. Traditional learning is based on memorizing and repetition, what the "norm standards" are. It is also the same age grouping of kids. Children also have to sit, listen and follow instruction. Creativitiy & moving at your own pace for individuals is not encouraged. It is a structured environment to follow the "norm".  It is and environment where everyone does the same thing at the same time. Testing is done to see how kids range in academics and to see if they are able to advance to the next grade.

Both learning methods have pros and cons. Both are not for everyone. I am just pointing out some of the differences, only you know what is right for your child.