Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio are three different teaching modes. Professor Edwards has a paper comparing the similarities and differences between these three teaching modes. These three models have many similarities:
- Their educational vision is to help and inspire children to realize their full potential in intelligence, creativity, and society.
- In the process of education, children are regarded as creators of their own development, and their development process is natural, dynamic, and self directed.
- These three models all require high professionalism from teachers, who provide teaching assistance to children and highly respect their choices.
- Family education and home school connections are highly valued in these three models.
- Children's learning assessment is conducted in a non exam mode. Of course, there are also many differences between them, including educational guidelines, educational strategies, curriculum outlines, and so on.
Montessori
The theoretical foundation and educational beliefs come from Maria Montessori. She is the first female physician in Italian history. And this Montessori physician is a supporter of constructivism, emphasizing the intellectual development of children very much. Teachers guide children in learning and provide environmental support to keep them in a learning environment. Children are not grouped according to age, but rather engage in mixed age activities. Montessori's secret weapon is a complete set of courses and teaching aids. Children learn through sensory manipulation of these teaching aids. Even laymen who obtain these teaching aids do not know what their meaning is. Because every teaching aid, in terms of shape, size, and even color, is supported by its underlying philosophy, it requires professional trained teachers to guide children's learning.
Reggio Emilia
The main teaching theory is based on the theories of Piaget, Vygowski, and Dewey, constructivism. Teachers did not prepare the curriculum outline and lesson plan in advance, and the curriculum was based on children's interests and experiences. The course is conducted in the form of a project, and children can express and showcase their learning outcomes in any form. Teachers need to receive art training, and the school has specialized art studios to provide them and students. A typical situation for Reggio is when a child comes to school in the morning, walks to the window, and tells the teacher, "Teacher, the sun is so bright today." The teacher says, "Why don't we go out to the garden to bask in the sun today?" The teacher takes the child out. Children A and B are interested in flowers on the grass, while children C and D are interested in small insects in the garden, Then A and B asked the teacher, "Why is this flower red?" C and D asked, "Why can butterflies fly?" Then the teacher said, "Wow, let's learn and get to know together." Then the children each started a class to collect various materials, A and B studied flowers, C and D studied butterflies. Materials can be anything in life, and for displaying research results, children can also use any method, such as drawing, handcrafting, performing, and so on.
Waldorf
The theoretical basis and educational philosophy come from Rudolf Steiner's "Anthropology". It advocates holistic education: head, heart, and hands, and advocates "learning by doing". Art is integrated into every course, with the learning of riddles, folk songs, and myths to enhance imagination and multicultural learning. The main teacher will always follow the children's learning from early childhood to high school. Learning takes place in a non competitive environment. Entering Waldorf's school, you will see some children drawing, some planting flowers, and some cooking.
In fact, there are many excellent teaching models and courses abroad, such as the most popular IB course (The International Baccalaureate) in the international community.
If viewed from the perspective of an educator, the excellence of these foreign educational concepts is to empower children with the right to grow, appreciate them, respect them, and guide them. That is to love them.