What is the Difference Between Montessori and Daycare? 

Any parent will tell you that time passes so fast when raising a child. The years between infancy and being a toddler can seem like a blur if you are not keen to remain present in every moment. Soon enough, it will be time for you to start your child in school. While it can be the most overwhelming moment for you, it is among the best decisions you will ever make for your child. However, the question remains, which educational system is best for your child: Montessori or daycare?

What Is Montessori?

It is an educational system of learning that employs a holistic approach. The approach incorporates different facets, like social, emotional, and physical development to accomplish academic success.

How Is Montessori Different from Daycare?

The main difference between the two is the area of prioritization, particularly regarding academic advancement. The daycare learning system often uses a singular approach to attain academic success, while Montessori incorporates all aspects of life. Therefore, a child in Montessori schools in Cypress, TX, will have a holistic worldview of things compared to the one in a daycare in 77433. Other areas of difference between Montessori and daycare are:

1. A teacher as a guide or lead – in the daycare system, teachers take the lead on the learning and curriculum. For Montessori students, the teacher is more of a guide than a leader.
2. Age segregation – in many daycare schools, each class is clustered with a specific age. Therefore, you will find all two-year-olds in one classroom. It is different for Montessori schools that employ a combined mixed-age approach.
3. Active exploration within the classroom – Montessori schools provide learning materials and activities that encourage active exploration in the class, whereas a daycare is likely to encourage the exploration after class work.

Which One Is Better?

Overall, Studies have shown that children enrolled in the Lycee Montessori system outperform those in the daycare. Some of the unique areas where a Montessori school near you will be better than a daycare are:

1. An incredible teaching methodology and teacher influence – most teachers who work in Montessori schools consider it a healthy, warm, and responsive environment to affect children’s lives.
2. Heightened parent engagement – Montessori materials and activities are highly engaging for the teachers and parents, not just the students.
3. An environment that encourages social and cognitive development – the learning system incorporates different methodologies to make the environment calm and friendly to encourage children’s creativity. Therefore, you should not be alarmed to find a classroom with a mixture of some children engaging in conversation, others working alone, and some sitting at desks or floors.
4. Fostering willpower and independence – there are different activities in the Montessori learning system where the child is uninterrupted by the teacher. They have plenty of time to creatively explore their environments for designated periods throughout the day.
5. Mixed-age environments – as daycare systems are elaborate on age segregation, Montessori schools work differently. For instance, you will find a classroom with a mixture of 2.5 to 6-year-olds, not just 2-3 years. Such environments encourage the spirit of community and collaboration while zeroing in on the kids’ different abilities regardless of age.
6. Freedom of choice and movement – kids are free to choose what they want to work on while in class. The Montessori system only requires children to use the designated learning materials for a specific period. However, the child can choose where and what to work on with the available tools. The goal is to strengthen the child’s social awareness and internal discipline.
7. Scarceness of the material – when you first enter a Montessori-based classroom, you may be taken aback by the uncluttered spaces. Many people expect that children’s work or play areas are cluttered. However, this educational system employs intentionally scarce for each learning in the classroom to encourage sharing and social interaction among the children.

Summary

The educational systems are changing over the years. Although Montessori feels like the new kid in town, it has been around for about 100 years. It continues to prove valuable for transforming children’s lives, giving them a solid foundation for their future educational pursuits. Therefore, choose an educational system that will optimize healthy development for your child all around.