Comparing Educational Philosophies: Montessori and Charlotte Mason

In our previous blog, we examined similarities and differences between the educational philosophies of Dr. Maria Montessori and Rudolf Steiner. Today, we discuss Charlotte Mason, another of Dr. Montessori’s contemporaries.

Charlotte Mason was a British teacher who devoted her life to improving the quality of education in England at the turn of the 20th century. In 1891, she established the House of Education in Ambleside, England for training teachers and governesses.

The Montessori Method and Charlotte Mason - Comparing Alternative Educational Philosophies

Mason’s vision was for a “liberal” education where children of all social classes could benefit from a broad curriculum. Like Montessori, she felt that parents would be greatly helped if they understood about child rearing and development. She believed that children should be allowed to develop naturally and that adults should help children strengthen good character traits. She did not see children as “empty slates,” but saw them as human beings capable of intelligent thought.

Mason believed that children needed vital, living ideas from which to learn rather than dry facts. She eschewed traditional textbooks in favor of “living books,” or those written by exciting, subject matter experts to excite and incite the child’s quest for knowledge. Like Montessori, Mason believed that children should experience nature first hand and suggested daily nature walks.

As similar as they may seem, there were some significant differences between Maria Montessori and Charlotte Mason. Mason was a vocal critic of Montessori, saying that Montessori children had too much freedom and not enough discipline. Mason was also an opponent of Montessori’s sensorial activities. She argued that children do not need scientifically designed materials and should instead be exposed to great works from Plutarch, Shakespeare, classical literature, and the Great Masters in order to encourage academic and intellectual thought.

Here are some other differences between Maria Montessori and Charlotte Mason.

Montessori Doctor and Scientist Education of the senses Three hour unscheduled work cycle Self-correcting work Grammar taught in conjunction with reading and writing, starting in the 3-6 classroom Prepared environment Peace education

Mason Teacher Education of the mind Scheduled work period with short lessons Teacher corrected Grammar taught starting around 10 years of age Children must learn to work in all environments to overcome distractions Character education

We will be concluding this series of alternative educational comparisons this week, with a look at Montessori and Reggio Emilia.

• View the previous article, Comparing Montessori and Steiner (Waldorf) here.

As much as possible, NAMC’s web blog reflects the Montessori curriculum as provided in its teacher training programs. We realize and respect that Montessori schools are unique and may vary their schedules and offerings in accordance with the needs of their individual communities. We hope that our readers will find our articles useful and inspiring as a contribution to the global Montessori community.
© North American Montessori Center - originally posted in its entirety at Montessori Teacher Training on Tuesday, July 30, 2013.