Montessori and Reggio Emilia are two influential educational approaches that have been used in education for over a century. They have been developed by two remarkable educators, Dr. Maria Montessori and Loris Malaguzzi. Both approaches share some common principles and focus on the development of the whole child, but they also have some significant differences.

Montessori approach emphasizes on children’s self-directed learning, and it allows children to learn through discovery and exploration. The Montessori classroom is a prepared environment that is designed to foster children’s independence, self-motivation and self-discipline. The Montessori teacher acts as a guide, observing and assessing the child’s needs and interests, and adjusting the curriculum accordingly.

Reggio Emilia approach is based on the idea that children are capable and curious learners. The approach emphasizes on collaboration, communication and the use of the environment as a tool for learning.