Waldorf/Montessori/Reggio

[Momma2Gianna]

Could someone please explain to me the difference between a Waldorf school, a Montessori school, and Reggio Emila school?

I tried looking them up via google, but there is too much information out there, and I am overwhelmed. Wikipedia definitions have me believing they are all about the same, just with differnet names.

I really need someone who kind of knows what they are looking at to help me out. I'm currently searching for options for my daughter's education.

Thanks so much!!!

[Mama Shifra]

I am not an early childhood expert, but this is how I understand these different preschool philosophies:

Montessori was started about 100 years ago and uses a "prepared environment" full of teaching apparatus to teach concepts. There is very little whole group teaching, but rather the children are allowed a long, uninterupted time to use whatever apparatus that he/she had been introduced to by the teacher to "teach him/herself". In the preschool stage, fantasy is discouraged, so you would not see dolls or fairy tales in the most traditional Montessori classrooms. Also, instead of there being a housekeeping area (like in many preschool classrooms), the children are taught "practical life" skills like sweeping the floor, washing clothes and dishes by hand, etc.

Waldorf schools are based more on whole group lessons. The teacher uses traditional songs, nursery rhymes and fairy tales to activate the child's imagination, that he/she then acts out in his/her free play later. The teacher will also be doing "real work" like cooking or making snack that the children are free to participate in or imitate. In fact, imitation is stressed in Waldorf preschool; the emphasis is giving the children something worthwhile to copy. Children are taught real life skills like candle making, finger knitting, making bread, too.

Reggio is named after a town in Italy that put great emphasis on preschool education after World War II. Here the emphasis is letting the children choose topics that interest them and have them explore those topics in depth for long periods of time.

[crl]

I can add just a bit about Reggio from our experiences with DS' preschool. They emphasize community and a home-school connection. They also believe strongly in small group work and fostering connections between the children. They have a lot of natural materials in the classroom. There are no preconceived ideas about what children should do with/learn from various materials. There is no preset curriculum and children are allowed to pursue an interest until it runs its course.

One example was that the school arranged field trips to a local children's museum. When the children expressed a great deal of interest in the school bus used to transport them, the teachers supported this interest. Rather than pushing an adult agenda, they focused on the bus. Small groups of children drew buses, while the teachers encouraged them to observe details about the bus, like the number of windows. At another time a group of children created a bus from cardboard boxes. When other children expressed interest, more boxes were provided. Then the children collectively created a story about the bus trip to the museum and illustrated it. There were other bus related projects too. I thought it was fabulous.

My only credentials are parent to a child who attended a Reggio school, btw.

Catherine

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by Momma2Gianna

Could someone please explain to me the difference between a Waldorf school, a Montessori school, and Reggio Emila school?

Hi. There is a link upthread, under "Learning at School Resource Thread". If you scroll down to the bottom, you will find a "Link describing Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio methods".

It's here: http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1114452

Also, if you take a look at some of the discussions under the Waldorf, Montessori and Reggio threads, you'll find lots of helpful information.

As you do your research, keep in mind that a particular school may be very traditional and strictly apply the method, or it may be very "relaxed" in its approach. Some may be so rigid they have difficulty accommodating a child who doesn't fit the mould. Others may be so relaxed, it's hard to recognize them as using that educational method. The only way to know is to visit, interview the admin and staff and observe the classrooms.

Good luck with your search!