Steiner and Montessori- What's the difference ?

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi, I was just wondering what the difference is between a Steiner school and a Montessori school is? They both seem to be the same sort of thing.
I'm just curious really.

Message withdrawn

There is no black crayon in Steiner schools. Nor is there any crayon whatsoever, really, and all paintings are watercolor - better to express the spirit world.
I'm sorry but I really have to correct this because it's simply not true. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I think it's important when stating facts, to be accurate. Crayon is used in Steiner schools and whilst painting in Kindergarten in primarily watercolour, at a later stage, all the different media are used. My DD has used watercolour, ink, charcoal, clay, acrylic, etc, etc.

Fairywave - I think the article refers to there being no colour black in steiner, I don't want to get into the reasons why here as it is offensive.
The crayons I would interpret as the crayons you see in shops the traditional shape and materials as opposed to beeswax.

As other posters have already stated Montessori & Steiner are poles apart not similar at all.

I am a fan of Montessori and pleased to see that a lot of Montessori methods are now being used within state schools, i.e. child facilitated learning.

Be very wary of Steiner. I question whether you can get truly unbiased info on it on mn or googling. Steiner only like you to read their official description (freeplay, hooooooolistic, good stuff) and will stifle criticism with the threat of litigation.

fairywave-

My DD used imaginary crayons.

And they were all black.

imaginary crayons?sounds interesting

guffaw

snicker

and am I right in thinking that they would not take disabled children into Steiner schools??

Is it similar to the buddhist concept of water painting?
buddha board

Wet on white. V. cool.

Yawn...

I looked into both, and whilst I would lean heavier towards the teachings of MM I do think they are both restrictive. I remember a core theme in Montessori regarding certain forms of imaginative play being discouraged, for example if a child is seen pretending to pour a cup of tea then they should be given water to use as this is a life skill that will benefit them, whilst the pretend element won't. I read a lot of Lynne Oldfield's works and it seems that children should be expected to be reading/writing very early on?

In short they're both faddy nonsense for middle class parents who want to avoid proper accountable education.

Use at your own risk.