Montessori vs. Traditional Preschool: What’s the Difference?

If you are looking for a preschool for your child, you may be comparing Montessori schools, daycare centers, and traditional preschools and wondering which approach is right for your family. At Julia Brown Schools, we believe children thrive when they have opportunities to explore, play, socialize, and develop independence while also building concentration and early academic skills. Montessori intentionally brings these experiences together throughout the day.

A Montessori classroom provides children with a structured environment where they can make meaningful choices, engage in hands-on learning, develop independence, and build relationships with their teachers and classmates.

“The greatest development is achieved during the first years of life, and therefore it is then that the greatest care should be taken.” — Dr. Maria Montessori

What Is Montessori?

Montessori is an educational approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori over 100 years ago that emphasizes independence, hands-on learning, and individualized instruction.

At Julia Brown Schools, this approach has guided our classrooms since 1967. Our family-owned schools serve children from 15 months through Third Grade, with Montessori classrooms designed around each child's stage of development. We are fully accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education.

A Montessori classroom typically includes:

• Hands-on Montessori materials that allow children to explore concepts through direct experience

• Individual, small-group, and group lessons from trained Montessori Directresses

• Freedom within limits, giving children meaningful choices within the prepared environment

• Opportunities to develop independence through practical, everyday activities

• Individualized learning, allowing children to progress at their own pace

• Mixed-age classrooms where children learn alongside peers at different stages of development

The result is a classroom where children are actively learning throughout the day, and not just during designated “academic” activities.

How Is Montessori Different From Traditional Preschool?

Traditional preschools vary, but many use an age-based curriculum with teacher-planned activities. Children may participate in group lessons, crafts, projects, stories, and other activities planned around a particular theme or skill.

Montessori classrooms also have a strong sense of community, while children take an active role in their learning. Rather than having every child complete the same activity at the same time, Montessori allows teachers to introduce lessons based on each child's individual readiness.

For example, a Directress may give a lesson to one child while another works independently with a Montessori material and a small group works together on another activity. Children are learning alongside one another, but they do not all have to be doing the same thing at the same time.

This individualized approach allows children to progress at their own pace while still being part of a classroom community. It also gives Directresses the opportunity to observe each child closely and introduce new lessons as the child is ready.

This does not mean Montessori is unstructured. The classroom has clear expectations, routines, and limits. The difference is that children have meaningful choices within that structure.

Why Are Montessori Classrooms Mixed-Age?

At Julia Brown Schools, children learn in mixed-age classrooms as part of the Montessori three-year cycle. Rather than grouping children only with classmates born in the same year, Montessori classrooms bring children at different stages of development together.

Younger children have older classmates to observe and learn from, while older children have opportunities to lead by helping younger classmates.

The three-year cycle also allows children to remain within a familiar classroom community as they develop. Directresses can observe each child's progress over time and introduce new lessons when the child is ready.

Montessori vs. Traditional Preschool: What's the Difference?

	Montessori at JBS	Traditional Preschool
Learning	Hands-on and individualized	Often teacher-directed
Teacher interaction	Individual, small-group, and group lessons	Often whole-group
Child's role	Active participant with meaningful choices	Often follows planned activities
Daily environment	Prepared Montessori environment	Teacher-planned classroom
Independence	Built into everyday classroom activities	Varies
Age grouping	Mixed-age classrooms	Often same-age

What about daycare?

Daycare programs primarily provide childcare and supervision while parents are at work or otherwise unavailable. Some daycare programs also offer educational activities, but their primary purpose is childcare. Montessori is an educational approach specifically designed around children's development and learning.

How Does Montessori Grow With My Child?

One of the benefits of choosing a Montessori school is the opportunity for continuity as your child grows. Families can begin when their child is ready and continue within the Montessori environment as their child's needs and abilities change.

Your child does not need previous Montessori experience to begin at Julia Brown Schools. Many children start their Montessori journey with us for the first time.

Julia Brown Schools offers Montessori programs from 15 months through Third Grade:

• Toddler: 15 months–2.5 years

• Primary: 2.5–5 years

• Kindergarten: 5 years

• Elementary: 6–9 years (First, Second, and Third Grade)

In the early years, children are developing independence, coordination, language, and concentration. As they grow, their Montessori work becomes increasingly complex, building academic skills alongside problem-solving, organization, and independence.

Our Elementary program also includes enrichment in Latin, coding, German, and debate.

Julia Brown Schools: A Maryland Montessori School Since 1967

Julia Brown Schools was founded in Maryland in 1967, when Julia Brown opened the school's first campus in Laurel. Today, JBS remains family-owned and operates four Montessori campuses serving families across Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties.

Our four campuses are:

• Columbia — serving families in Howard and Prince George's Counties

• Laurel — serving families in Howard and Prince George's Counties and located about 15 minutes from Fort Meade

• Silver Spring — serving families throughout Montgomery County

• Olney — serving Olney and surrounding Montgomery County communities

Ready to explore Montessori for your child? Contact Julia Brown Schools to schedule a tour at the campus most convenient for your family.

About the Author

Julia Brown Schools

Julia Brown Schools has provided Montessori education to Maryland families since 1967. The school continues its family legacy under the leadership of Ms. Komesarook, General Manager, who has served in that role for more than 35 years.

For school-specific information, program details, and enrollment availability, please contact the individual Julia Brown Schools campus.

Published: October 2026