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COMPARATIVE AND
CONTRASTIVE
The Montessori and The Froebel Methods

Wafa Salim Khamis Rashid Almukhaini Aljunaibi (H00272675)

Course code & Teacher: ECE 2503 Theories of Teaching Preschool


Teacher course: Garnel Desravins
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The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the childs own natural

desire to learn. As it's known, there are many teaching methodologies commonly employed in

early childhood education environments. Such as Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Dewey, and the

Froebel. I will discuss between two of the most influential philosophies who developed their own

educational method that influenced our early childhood program and setting as it is today who

are Montessori and Froebel. This paper will Consider the following criteria; fundamentals, roles

of the teacher, the child, and the local community, and structure and organization of the

curriculum, and physical environment and type and function of assessment in each of these two

curriculums. In addition, I will examine the advantages and disadvantages of working within

each different methodology and provide a logical conclusion.

Dr. Maria Montessori was born in Ancona, Italy in 1870. Montessori was a good student.

She studied at University of Rome and graduates as the first female doctor in Italy (Pound, L., &

Dawson, p.29). The Montessori Method in teaching is based on the idea that children learn best

when the environment supports their natural desire to acquire skills and knowledge as she

inspired Piaget approach in cognitive development. This method is child-centered that works on

several defining features, with teachers serving as guides (Brown, 2003). The purpose of a

Montessori classroom is to develop the physical, social, emotional and cognitive abilities of the

child. The Montessori method characterized by five most important principles which are mixed

age grouping, big picture focus, focus on sensitive and peace and prepared environment

(Spielgaben, 2013).

The role of Montessori teacher, child, and the environment is like a circle in a single path,

linked together. According to American Montessori Society website, "The teacher thoughtfully

prepares a classroom environment with materials and activities that entice her students to learn
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(American Montessori Society, 2017)." For example, the teacher will make a stimulating classroom

environment with several areas to children learn and explore the world. Also, the teacher often

guides her students to new lessons and challenges, because the role of a Montessori teacher being

in observing students while they are doing the activities. Typically, you will find the teacher

sitting on the floor or discussing with a small group. Montessori classroom helps the children to

live in the community independently, and to think constructively and creatively.

According to Jarrell "The structure of a Montessori curriculum aligns itself with the ways

in which cognitive scientists understand how human beings most effectively learn (Jarrell, 2016)."

Children have all the materials and the time to practice new skills, then they will write about

what they explore and discuss it with their colleagues. Thus, all students have acquired new

skills and build deep understanding to practice them in various fields to understand the concepts.

In the same way, Dr. Montessori designed her physical environment with children in mind. The

environment is prepared with developmentally appropriate materials designed to encourage

learning. In Montessori, continual assessment is mostly built into the basic functioning of an

authentic classroom. The daily use of observation combined with the ability of the learning

materials to reveal a childs understanding ("Assessment &," 2017). Also, Dr. Montessori is careful

to the teacher how used her method to create very formative assessments. For example, projects

with lots of arts and discussion.

Advantage and Disadvantage of Montessori method

The first advantage of the Montessori approach is students enjoy freedom. According to

American Montessori Society website, "Working within parameters set by their teachers,

students are active participants in deciding what their focus of learning will be ("Benefits of

Montessori," 2017)." As Montessori believes when children feel satisfied, they will learn and
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discover. The second advantage of the Montessori approach is multiage classrooms help students

learn from and support one another. for example, children of mixed ages work together in

classrooms. They will observe each other, and they will model the good behavior and the skills

they saw. Likewise, the older students will guide those who are younger (Elizabeth, 1014).

However, the Montessori approach also has some significant disadvantages. Firstly, in

the classroom, each activity contains only one piece of work. For instance, students are in

groups, and each group has one activity, so students must solve it with each other. But it is often

interpreted by older students, so the critics said it could create a spirit of competition among

them. Secondly, students may have it difficult to transition in regular classrooms later. Many

parents send their children to primary schools with different methods after the children have

adapted to Montessori schools (Spielgaben, 2013).

There are many similarities and differences between Montessori approach and Froebel

approach. However, the key principles, the role of the child and community, structure of the

curriculum and physical environment and function of assessment is similar to each other. But,

the role of the teacher is different in some points.

Fridrich Froebel was born in Germany in 1782. Froebel had a difficult childhood troubled

with neglect. His mother having died when he was just nine months old and then he went to live

with his uncle, who took an interest in him and sent him to school (Pound, L., & Dawson, p.14).

Froebel approach illustrates a lot of love and appreciation to the child and is keen to provide a

small world full of games, music, movement, gifts and occupations ("The Philosophy," 2002).

The play materials were what he called gifts and the activities were occupations. He asserted

children learn when the environment is prepared and stimulate where they could investigate from

their perspectives, as he inspired Piaget theory when he defined play as assimilation. His
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philosophy also consisted of four main components which were free self-expression, creativity,

social participation, and motor expression (Spielgaben, 2013).

Froebel key principles are similar to Montessori because both of them teach the child in

developmental areas which are physical, social and emotional. For example, children will play to

learn. But, Froebel focuses in hands-on play activities more than Montessori.

Children in Froebel classroom are explored principles of movement, math, and

construction with teacher guides to help them understanding, different than the Montessori role

of teacher. However, children how used Froebel method will be more active in the world outside

the school because he will live independently and think creatively.

The structure of a Froebel curriculum is purposeful same as Montessori curriculum

because children will learn through playing by hands-on activities. So, they will develop their

fine motor skills. According to Spielgaben, "children can only learn what they are ready for

(Spielgaben, 2013)." Children are born differently, and with different abilities, so they should

learn in an individual developmental style and with particular tools. In addition, Same as a

Montessori classroom environment, Froebel classroom designed for free play. They are very

careful to classrooms be comfortable to children and easy to move between the areas. Also, they

are concentrated to provides the best tools and materials for their level of development. Froebel

and Montessori function of assessment is similar to each other in daily observation and teacher

open ended questions. So, both of them assess their children to see if they understood the

concept.
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Advantage and Disadvantage of Froebel method

There are many advantages of the Froebel methods. One of the major benefits for

children how go to Froebel school is they learn how to solve problems. For example, when

children play with materials they fix something to obtain a solution, he learns how to solve the

problems now and in the future. The Froebel method also serves well to support independence in

students. Whenever they start solving problems, they will feel confident and depend on their self.

On the other hand, the Froebel method focuses on fine motor skills more than the

academic types such as language, reading, and writing. A lot of critics said the gifts and

occupations should completed with academic activities. The second difficulty is the Froebel

education is too rigid. The critics thought Froebel teachers should add more materials to children

express their feeling, free-playing and social interaction. Also, critics believed children needed

other ways to prove themselves by adding music and movement activities to Froebel classrooms.

In fact, I see that Montessori approach is a better curriculum, in my opinion, its supports

the Ministry of Education and International Schools, because it effectively links the school, the

home, and the community, so students will be social and build a cooperative personality that

radiates harmony and respect. For advice, to encourage the spread of this classroom environment

we must apply it in our classrooms.


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References

American Montessori Society. (2017). Montessori classrooms. Retrieved September 11, 2017,

from American Montessori Society website: https://amshq.org/Montessori-

Education/Introduction-to-Montessori/Montessori-Classrooms

Assessment & Curriculum. (2017). Retrieved September 12, 2017, from Montessori Guide

website: http://montessoriguide.org/assessment/

Benefits of montessori education. (2017). Retrieved September 11, 2017, from American

Montessori Society website: https://amshq.org/Montessori-Education/Introduction-to-

Montessori/Benefits-of-Montessori

Brown, L. L. (2003). Comparing Preschool Philosophies: Montessori, Waldorf and More.

Retrieved September 12, 2017, from PBS parents website:

http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/going-to-school/choosing/comparing-preschool-

philosophies-montessori-waldorf-and-more/

Elizabeth. (1014, November 18). The pros & cons of montessori education. Retrieved September

11, 2017, from Rasmussen College website:

http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/pros_cons_montessori_education/

Jarrell, M. (2016, November 4). Structure in the Montessori Program. Retrieved September 12,

2017, from Greenspring Montessori School website:

https://greenspringmontessori.org/structure-montessori-program/

The philosophy of education. (2002). Retrieved September 13, 2017, from Froebel Web website:

http://www.froebelweb.org/web2005.html
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Pound, L., & Dawson Books. (2005;2012;). How children learn. Leamington Spa: Step Forward.

Spielgaben. (2013, November 3). Comparison among Froebel, Montessori, Reggio Emilia and

Waldorf-Steiner Methods Part 1. Retrieved September 11, 2017, from Spielgaben

website: https://spielgaben.com/comparison-froebel-montessori-reggio-waldorf-part-1/

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