What is the major difference between montessori and waldorf education?

Question

What is the major difference between montessori and waldorf education?

Answer 1

All of the above plus Montessori focuses on the child working independently and does not encourage cooperation or working in groups.

Answer 2

To add to the above...Waldorf schools also tend to emphasize nature and the natural world. Children are encouraged not to watch television or even listen to recorded music in some cases. Natural materials like wood are preferred over plastic toys.

Answer 3

A Montessori school follows the teachings of Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952).

A Waldorf school follows the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925).

Both philosophies of education recognize and respect a child's need for rhythm and order in his daily routine. They choose to recognize that need in different ways. Take toys, for example. Madame Montessori felt that children shouldn't just play but should play with toys which will teach them concepts. A Waldorf education encourages the child to create his own toys from materials which happen to be at hand.

There are many other differences. Some of these are obvious; other are more subtle. What becomes obvious the more you read about both educational methods is how gentle both approaches are.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Both schools came to the same idea - children have to learn from their own experiences - not from the experiences of others. However, Rudolf Steiner and Montessori based their conclusions on different philosophical background.

Montessori classes have a lot manipulative that are connected to the core-subject studies.

In Waldorf schools, students have hands on experience that are not explicitly related to the core subjects.

Montessori schools have curriculum that is closer to the public schools' one. Therefore, student's transfer from Montessori is simple.

Waldorf school teaches abstract level material later than public schools do. Sometimes, it is important to improve child's hands-on skills and ability to stay on task before teaching him abstract material.  

Highly important is the particular school in your area... You know, chain in education is not as standard as McDonald chain... Check your specific location..

Check Delphi Academy - they have interesting program too.

I am an educator and want to open a Charter School. Therefore, I am trying to learn good things from everything that I see around me.

Good Luck