Montessori vs Reggio Emilia vs Play-Way: Which Preschool Method Suits Your Child?

Montessori

Children choose from specially designed materials and work at their own pace, often in mixed-age groups. The teacher observes and guides rather than leading the whole class. Look for low shelves, real child-sized tools and long, uninterrupted work periods.

Reggio Emilia

Learning grows out of children's own questions and is explored through projects, art and conversation. The classroom itself is treated as a teacher, with natural light, open materials and children's work displayed with care. Look for project documentation on the walls.

Play-way

The most common approach in India. Concepts are taught through games, songs, stories and activities, usually with a set timetable and themes for each month. It is flexible, and its quality depends heavily on the teacher.

HighScope and others

HighScope follows a 'plan, do, review' routine where children decide what they will do, carry it out and talk about it afterwards. Some schools also describe a Multiple Intelligences or experiential approach, which generally means varied activities rather than one fixed method.

How to tell if a school means it

• Ask how teachers are trained in the method
• Ask to see a typical day's timetable
• Look at whether children are choosing, or all doing the same worksheet
• Notice how much of the day is spent sitting