Montessori and Reggio Emilia

MONTESSORI

Proven Method of Education created by Maria Montessori. 

Believes in Children’s Natural Intelligence, involving rational, empirical and spiritual aspects.

Three year range per class in order to promote adult-child continuity and close peer relationships. 

Teacher is an unobtrusive director

Individual and Group lessons. 

Self correcting materialsInner discipline through natural, logical consequences      

Uninterrupted work periods. 

Enhanced Curriculum.

Focused instruction in reading and writing with scope and sequence and clear cut domains that result in children reading before the age of 6.

Emphasis on individuality. 

Studies directly shows effectiveness of Montessori method in respect to reading, literacy, mathematics and motivation  

REGGIO EMILIA

Is not a model in the strict sense but an approach to learning that can be fit to different settings; methods include both traditional and innovative.

Focuses on each child in relation to others and seeks to activate relationships between children       Can be used with either single age or mixed age groups

Teacher takes on the roles of partner, nurturer, and guide with children  

Group lessons with individual instruction at "teachable moments" 

Discovery-oriented in a more open-ended way than Montessori education.       

Self-regulation promoted through interaction with peers under teacher guidance.       

Teachers and children interact frequently.       

Curriculum is guided by teachers planning to build upon children’s interests.       

Emergent literacy as children record and manipulate ideas; all areas of curriculum.

Emphasis on individuality in the context of the group

American research on many components of  the Reggio approach, such as the project method, demonstrate effectiveness , but there are no large research studies of child outcomes available.