Schools that aren't mainstream

[Indadhanu]

Alright... my understanding of Montessori and Steiner...
They are similar in that they aren't 'traditional' or 'mainstream'. They are both very hands-on, very child-centred, based on the development on the individual child and not what the child 'should' be learning based on age/year level. Both also try to avoid standardised testing and don't give 'grades'. Both have grouped ages (I think Steiner do grouped ages?).

The Montessori method is that children learn best when given 'free-reign' so to speak, they direct their learning, and the teacher first shows them how to use the materials (specially made materials for Montessori) and then the student continues on until they have completed the activity. Then they move on to the next one they want to do. All the students do what they want to do, generally individually, learn what they want to learn at any one time (that sounds really disorganised and chaotic but its actually not). At Montessori there are usually no TVs or computers, but it isn't a strict NEVER for electronic media, just generally not at school.

Having not seen a Steiner school in action I can't really much more about it, but others have more experience I think. I think the biggest difference I can gather is that Montessori teach/value/offer 'academics' much earlier than Steiner schools. Steiner schools focus more on play, fantasy, imagination, myths, legends, fairys etc in the earlier years.

The reason behind no electronic media, no plastic toys, is more about imaginative play. A plastic toy that has one purpose and one purpose only is seen to make children loss their imagiantion. They just use the toy for one function and don't try to think of new ways to use with they toy. There is also the 'natural materials' argument too, but I its more about imagination than materials. A wooden toy with only one function that stifles imagination is more repetitive than a bunch of plastic balls. Both use mostly wooden materials, but I also think this is more practical as they are studier and more likely to last (thats just my opinion, not the 'rationale' behind wooden toys!).
I will have to ask on Monday about imagination vs 'precision'. I know Montessori have materials created for a specific purpose, to teach a specific skill, so I'm going to have to ask what they think about students using the materials differently. There is room for imagination in Montessori, but there are definitely limits.

Personally, Montessori floats my boat. I have a strong connection with academics, and not really into the 'fantasy' at a Steiner school. I think Montessori have a really good balance, the materials are what you would describe as 'toys', and the students are given 'free choice', but within limits and it's really ordered but at the same time a teacher respects if a student is not wanting to do a certain activity a teacher will let them take their time and choose it themselves. I came home from my trial and tried to explain it to Shel but she couldn't get it... it's like, organised chaos. Only not chaos. And not really ordered either... To me it is the perfect balance. But thats not everyones cup of tea.

Each school differs. There are a few Montessori schools in my area, and they are ALL different from each other. Maybe you could go chat to a few of the Directors/Principals, have an interview to find out what their values/ethics/methods are at that school?

Hopefully Flowerchild can come in too, her kids go to a gorgeous Ananda Marga River School.

ETA: This is just how I've grasped it all based on what I've read, wha I've seen, and what has been explained to me by Montessori teachers