Montessori vs Waldorf: A Simplified Explanation And Comparison Between The Two.
Montessori vs Waldorf
Parenting is not an easy task yet rewarding. As parents, we sure want the best for our children. The best future, the best education, the best schools, the best clothes, etc. Sometimes we get too overwhelmed with these decisions, but there is no need to worry too much.
If our children are loved, cared for, taught, and explained things at home; they will grow up to be the same or even better. You might have heard about many education methods or philosophies such as Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio (to know more about Reggio, read our blog post here), and others, but maybe you are not sure exactly what they are or entail.
This blog will explore and explain what Montessori and Waldorf education are, the similarities and differences between them to help you understand which method possibly suits you and your children. Before continuing, please ensure to like, follow, share and/or comment below for more informative posts blogs like this.
What is Waldorf?
Waldorf education is a philosophy invented and founded by an Austrian philosophical genius named Rudolf Steiner in the early 20th century. Steiner sought human possibility, including children, seen as infinite. Steiner argued that humans had a lot in them that needed to be explored, worked on, and shaped to master these skills. He argued that schools were places to begin doing so that would reflect all this later in adulthood. Waldorf education recognizes that there is a little genius in all of us that needs to be formed through different aspects including arts, academics, labor and mechanics, etc.
Waldorf emphasizes the child and his/her needs and the idea of the triple Hs, Head, Heart and Hands, by integrating different aspects of learning as mentioned above. Furthermore, Waldorf schools aim to cultivate a child’s imagination and creativity, fostering intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth.
What is Montessori?
Before we continue to explore the Montessori method, please feel free to read and learn more about Montessori from our previous blogs. Montessori philosophy and education method was founded and started by Italian doctor and educator, Maria Montessori, in the early 20th century. The Montessori method emphasizes the child, how every child is different, how every child interacts with their environment in their unique way, and how every learning and teaching activity should be tailored to meet each child’s unique learning abilities and personality.
Montessori highlights how children should be able to independently and freely interact with and move in their environment. This supportive environment is thoughtfully prepared and presented to the child by the teacher or adult, whose role is to observe the children’s progress and guide them.
Similarities between Montessori and Waldorf:
- Child-Centered Approach: Both Montessori and Waldorf philosophy, focus on the child and how every child is capable of learning in different ways with the use of their environment tailored to them. Both philosophies see children as little human beings capable of doing and learning the same way as any other human being would. The child’s needs are addressed individually rather than by a standardized method and the learning experience is tailored to each child’s developmental stage (insert link here for blog about developmental stages).
- Focus on the developmental stages: Montessori and Waldorf focus their teaching methods on the developmental stages of every child. The activities and teaching plans are tailored to each child’s age, stage of development, and needs based on observations made by the teacher or adult. These activities are swapped to new ones depending on the stage each child is in.
- Concrete Learning: Both philosophies focus on concrete learning. Montessori and Waldorf emphasize the need for children to work with many hands-on activities and learn many practical skills for real life. Both educational methods believe that hands-on activities allow children to explore and understand the world around them.
- Nature: Montessori and Waldorf heavily gravitate over the use of natural materials for learning, playing (such as wooden toys or utensils), and exploring. Both methods implement natural and simple materials and activities for the child to grab and learn if interested.
Differences between Montessori and Waldorf:
- Academics: Montessori philosophy incorporates academics from an early age. Montessori classrooms include activities and toys that teach academics to children of all ages. It focuses on a methodical and structured environment and curriculum that teaches independence and practical skills by allowing children to explore specific areas such as math, science, and language through hands-on materials.
On the other hand, Waldorf Philosophy emphasizes imaginative play, artistic expression, and the implementation of arts in the curriculum. Waldorf delays academic learning until grade 1 or when children are at least seven years old. The curriculum is less structured which allows for more spontaneous exploration and creativity.
- Pretend Play and Imaginative Learning: In a Montessori education, pretend play, imaginative learning, and fantasy are kept to a very minimum. Books that include fantasy are normally introduced later at the age of six when children can understand and differentiate between fantasy and reality. Real-life chores and activities around the house and in the classroom such as gardening, helping cook meals, cleaning the house, and fixing things, are preferred to pretend play.
In a Waldorf education, pretend and imaginative play are encouraged at a young age. Waldorf focuses on playing games, toys, and activities such as arts that promote imagination. Children in a Waldorf classroom also spend quite some time outdoors exploring and using their imagination as it can develop social skills.
- The Role of The Teacher: Teachers in both philosophies need to be certified; however, there are still some differences between the two methods. In Montessori, the teacher acts as a guide who stands back and observes the child interact with the environment and activities. When appropriate, the teacher introduces new activities and facilitates learning by providing an environment where children can explore independently.
In a Waldorf philosophy, the teacher takes more of a central role where they participate with the child, and the same teacher normally stays with the same class for many years. The teacher lectures and guides the learning lesson, almost like traditional teaching, and children listen but also play and involve a lot of arts in the learning process.
- Classroom: In a Montessori classroom, children are normally placed in a class with a mix of children of different ages where older children can be guides for smaller children. On the other hand, in a Waldorf classroom, children are placed with children of the same age or just about 2-year difference. Waldorf classrooms are a mix of indoor and outdoor activities with a main focus on the outdoors.
Conclusion:
Montessori and Waldorf are great philosophies and examples of teaching methods that are completely different from traditional education. They have great benefits for children where they are seen as little humans capable of learning a variety of things. Both philosophies emphasize children as unique where education and lessons are tailored to each child depending on their developmental stage and interest. Both teaching methods also use natural materials and resources for children to use, explore, and interact with.
There are also differences between the two. Montessori education is well-suited for children who thrive in a structured, self-directed environment, while Waldorf education is ideal for those who benefit from a creative, holistic approach. Montessori emphasizes teaching academics at a very early age through activities, toys, and arts and crafts while Waldorf delays academics to first grade or age 7 and focuses on imaginative play, arts and crafts, outdoor activities, and expression of movement such as dancing.
It is completely up to you, the parents, to choose which philosophy best suits your beliefs, lifestyle, and personality of your children.
Sources and additional readings:
Understanding Waldorf Education: Teaching from the inside out by Jack Petrash.
The Montessori Toddler: A Parent's Guide to Raising a Curious and Responsible Human Being by Simone Davies.
The Montessori Child: A Parent's Guide to Raising Capable Children with Creative Minds and Compassionate Hearts by Simon Davies.
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* Disclaimer, we are not certified teachers or experts on either philosophy, we are providing information to other parents based on our experience as parents, practices and things we have learned from books and articles*