Both a Montessori school and a play school can give a young child a happy, safe start. The difference lies in how the day is planned and who leads the learning. In a play school, the teacher usually leads a group through the same activity at the same time. In a Montessori classroom, each child chooses meaningful work from a prepared environment, and the teacher guides them one by one.
How a morning looks
In a play school, the class moves together: circle time, a rhyme, a colouring sheet, outdoor play, snack. Everyone does each activity at roughly the same pace.
In a Montessori classroom, there is a long, unhurried work period. A two-and-a-half-year-old may spend twenty minutes pouring water between jugs. Beside her, a four-year-old traces sandpaper letters. Older children help younger ones. The teacher, called a guide, watches closely and offers a new activity when a child is ready.
How children learn
| Play school | Montessori | |
|---|---|---|
| Who decides the activity | Mostly the teacher | The child, within a prepared environment |
| Groups | One age per class | Mixed ages (about 3 years together) |
| Materials | Toys, worksheets, charts | Purpose-made Montessori materials that let a child spot and correct their own mistakes |
| Pace | Same for the whole class | Each child’s own |
| Progress | Often marks or grades | Observation notes and regular parent meetings |
Which suits your child?
Montessori suits most children, not only quiet or “academic” ones. A busy child often settles because the work involves the hands and real movement. A shy child gains confidence by doing real tasks independently. What matters most is that the school follows the method faithfully. Many schools use the word “Montessori” but keep only a few of the materials.
Questions to ask on any school visit
- Are the guides trained in Montessori, and by which body?
- Is there a long, uninterrupted work period every morning?
- Are age groups mixed?
- Can children choose their own work?
- How will you tell me about my child’s progress?
Montessori at Kidoz
Kidoz Montessori Pre School in Perumbakkam, Chennai is an IMF Flagship School, registered and listed with the Indian Montessori Foundation (AMI’s affiliate in India), for children aged 1.5 to 6 years. You are welcome to visit and watch a morning in the classroom before you decide. Book a campus visit or call +91 89397 89900.
Common questions
Is Montessori better than play school?
Neither is better for every child. Montessori gives children more independence and a calm, focused routine; play school is more teacher-led. Visit both and watch how your child responds.
Will my child only work alone in Montessori?
No. Children work alone, in pairs and in small groups, and the class gathers for songs, stories and conversation.
Is Montessori only for rich or “gifted” children?
No. Dr. Maria Montessori developed the method with ordinary children in a working-class neighbourhood in Rome.
