The Difference Between Montessori School and Playschool

1. The Difference Between Montessori School and Playschool Are you about to send your child off to preschool? Wondering what the difference is between Montessori school and Playschool? As you probably know, preschool comes before formal school education, starting with kindergarten. What you might not know is that schools can follow several different programs and curricula, including a playschool program, traditional curricula or a Montessori preschool program. There are many pros and cons to each option, and it comes down to what is best for your child. During this guide, we will outline what to expect with a playschool program and a Tokyo Montessori school program and the differences between each option:

2. ● The curriculum The Montessori program is based on a discovery method in which students learn by working with different materials and scenarios, rather than through direct instructions from the teacher. There are four key topics covered in Montessori programs, including sense organs, practical life, language and math skills. This curriculum promotes learning daily living skills, social skills, language, math and physical education. The children tend to learn at their own pace using Montessori equipment that is appropriate for their age and stage. Age group rather than specific ages define the curriculum. Playschool, on the other hand, is an informal nursery group that operates only a few hours per day, and the teacher sets the curriculum. The program is about developing the skills and abilities of children with play and help transition them to kindergarten. The playschool program encourages free play and allows children with decision making and problem- solving skills. The curriculum includes a lot of arts and crafts, dress up, outdoor play and music activities. ● The teaching method With the Montessori program, the student is at the centre of the learning process, and the teacher merely helps guide the learning process. With Playschool, the teacher is at the centre of the learning process. Students participate with the encouragement of the teachers as learning is encouraged with tools, games and words. ● The learning method With the Montessori program, teachers help students’ complete challenges and gain experience in an uninterrupted learning environment. The curriculum encourages the child to self-correct by spotting their errors with feedback from the teacher. The child chooses the work on their own and reinforces their learning, giving them a sense of autonomy and achievement. In Playschool, the curriculum is much more structured, and the child is guided through the curriculum by the teacher. The play method allows them to express themselves before they can fully express themselves verbally.

3. ● The environment With the Montessori program, the environment of the classroom plays a huge role in the learning process. The materials are easily accessible to the students, and they are free to work anywhere they choose. The materials are multisensory and encourage physical exploration. In Playschool, the child has an assigned chair and table where they work either in groups or on their own. The students sit still and listen to the teacher during group sessions. Both the teaching methods are popular, but the Montessori method has an edge as it enables learning while the Playschool promotes it.