Inspire Kids Montessori vs. Mainstream

Emphasis on cognitive & social development
Care of environment & self
Lessons presented with concrete materials that graduate into abstract reasoning
Individual Instruction/Self-discipline
Child sets own learning pace.
Child chooses own work.
Control of error built within materials
Child reinforces own learning by repetition of work and intrinsic success.
Multi-sensory materials for physical exploration developing a “stereognositic” sense.
Anecdotal collection of child’s progress

Emphasis on social development
Group and individual instruction
Abstract lessons are introduced with none or few concrete demonstrations.
Less emphasis on self-care instruction
Teacher relays information
Teacher is the center of the environment.
If error is corrected, it is done so by the teacher.
Learning is reinforced by repetition and rewards.
Lessons not individualized & introduced without consideration of individual readiness
Instruction pace set by group norms
Fewer materials for sensory development
Traditional assessment is according to standardized norms.