Curriculum Comparison: Montessori vs Reggio Emilia Curriculum

MONTESSORI VS REGGIO EMILIA CURRICULUM
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Introduction
Today there are numerous educational philosophies in the world that are designed towards promoting both academic and social growth among children. These philosophies take various shapes and forms and derive a variety of perspectives which focus on mainly different aspects of the intellectual, social and cognitive development of children. Some of these methods approach early learning from a rather developmental approach and basically stress the benefit of play plus self directed exploration CITATION Ric10 \l 1033 (Gargiulo & Kilgo, 2010). There are numerous similarities in the approaches as they stress educating a "whole child" and that children should be responsible of their own learning in a certain varying degree. Also, there are several differences within the philosophies. Montessori and Reggio Emilia are among the philosophies. This essay shall seek to analyze, compare and contrast both the Montessori and the Reggio Emilia.
The Montessori Philosophy
Perhaps the Montessori philosophy is the most popular and commonly used philosophy around the world. The philosophy was developed in Rome, Italy by Maria Montessori. Maria Montessori had started developing the method by attending pedagogy courses and thereby observing children carefully beginning from their birth. By 1907, Montessori had opened a first school she called a "Children’s House" and her methods and philosophy attracted a huge level of interest from educators and child psychologists around the world CITATION Ter14 \l 1033 (Swim, 2014). In 1929, an association was created to support the growth of the philosophy plus teacher education around the world. Montessori philosophy is based on that belief children ought to be naturally eager learners who are able to create meaning in a prepared and well supported environment.
Diversity and development
The approach is basically child centered and operates within several defining principles. The goal is developing the whole child in the classroom which thereby includes the physical, emotional, cognitive and social abilities CITATION Car12 \l 1033 (Carol & Jane, 2012). The job of the teacher basically is to be able to open up a child’s potential other than viewing them just as clay that should be molded. The foundations of the Montessori Method include;
* Mixed Age Groupings- Here children of mixed ages are able to work together in the classroom. Young students are able to observe the older ones, which relatively help them prepare for upcoming plus challenging materials. Older students then serve as mentors or guides for younger students.
* Focus on the big picture- The approach operates on the belief that children do learn best on instances they have background knowledge on a subject. The philosophy is cosmic, a learning builds on prior exposure hence building on a deep understanding.
* Focus on critical and sensitive periods- The approach presents the concept that there are certain periods when a child could best learn specific skills. Instruction should be matched with the child sensitive window for the acquisition of the skill.
* Prepared environment- The physical environment in the classroom should be designed with the students in mind. All the furniture should be appropriately sized and materials placed in an accessible manner for the children. The environment is to be prepared with materials that are developmentally appropriate, designed towards stimulating multiple senses for learning. Self correcting materials should be available in order for the students to work on them independently. The materials should also be cross-curricular.
* Focus on peace- Stress on respect on life forms and focus on peaceful interactions, community service, social justice and inner peace.
Indeed, the Montessori classroom has numerous special designed materials plus manipulative that is very appealing to child and designed towards teaching a specific skill each time. The materials are to be designed for multiple uses and should grow with a child CITATION Car12 \l 1033 (Carol & Jane, 2012). They are to be designed in a manner to invite interaction and activity, a hands-on approach in making abstract concepts.
Strengths
The method prepares the children to be ready for the real world, where they are able to work side by side among people of all dispositions...