Alternative education formats - this is wonderful because after all we are so different and not one size fits all standard or system of education. But it is not always so easy to choose the most suitable learning format for your child - be it a standard school, home schooling, distance learning or one of the special deviations of pedagogy. To find yours the real one, this time about what exactly is Montessori pedagogy and what is Waldorf pedagogy. Briefly explained, Waldorf pedagogy is for developing creativity, artistic souls will feel especially happy in it, but Montessori pedagogy focuses on developing the mind and skills, but creativity also plays a big role here.

Waldorf pedagogy - the emotional world and your own path

•   Waldorf pedagogy is based on the foundations of anthroposophy, which calls for the development of will in a person, feelings and thinking. In the foreground is not the instillation of information, most of which is lost during life will not be necessary at all, but the child's individual abilities and interests. Waldorf pedagogy respects diversity and does not compare children's abilities.

• Rudolf Steinert, the creator of Waldorf pedagogy, believed that excessive intellectualization is unnecessary and disrupts the rhythm of natural development. Therefore, in smaller classes, the students' perception about the world is created through creativity and spirituality, paying a lot of attention to education, so that the student would learn to strive for new discoveries. The learning process has a scientific research approach.

•   The great added value in Waldorf pedagogy is the awareness that you are yourself, you can be yourself, love yourself just like that - a unique being with your own special facets of personality, interests and talents. The child learns to think for himself, to be independent and go your own way, taking responsibility for it, instead of blindly following the masses.

•   In Waldorf schools, the subject matter is learned in cycles, for example, devoting several weeks to mathematics. Study subjects are integrated into the main topic being studied, which allows for a more in-depth study of the topic.

• Attention is paid to activities that enrich emotionally, help the physical and emotional health, therefore everyone has to sing and dance in these schools.
Waldorf schools are also suitable for those children who does not feel good in large groups.

Montessori pedagogy - willpower and experience

• The goal of Montessori pedagogy is to train the child's willpower, concentration and self-discipline.
• The basic principle of Montessori pedagogy is to let the child do things on his own. A teacher is like a guide who shows how handling the specific material, supports, however, the child must do the work himself, without the teacher's intervention, if at all it takes longer. It is important for the teacher or tutor to be patient and not to act in the child's place, just for the sake of it get over it faster. By doing it himself, the child gains confidence that it is in his power, he can do it, which in turn builds up self-confidence.
• The child develops abilities, taking into account his characteristics and innate talents, chooses the exercise that is appropriate to his current development and interests. Growing ability to choose and make decisions without expecting responsibility from others and also not letting others control your life will be of great benefit.
• Great importance is given to practical experience - what you see and hear, that is, what you read in a book or what we heard in the lecture can be in one ear and out the other, and practical skills are thus not learned. Therefore, the emphasis is on practical operation, and the added value is to organize the work behind you place. Each thing has its place, the materials are arranged in a structured order.
• In Montessori pedagogy, the child learns to become a personality who knows how to make decisions and deal with situations. That's it learned that there is no need to run away from difficulties, but to deal with them, and the resolution is within one's own power.

Author of the article: IEVA KRASTIņA

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