| The child is an active participant in learning. | The child is a passive participant in learning. |
| Promotes the natural development of the human being. Working and learning are matched to the social development of the child. | Promotes the transfer of a national curriculum. Working and learning take place without reference to the social development of the child. |
| Children learn at their own pace and follow their own individual interests. A child works as long as they wish on a chosen project. | Children learn from a set curriculum according to a time frame that is the same for everyone. A child is generally given specific time limits for work. |
| Children teach themselves using materials specially prepared for the purpose. The teacher works in collaboration with the children. | Children are taught by the teacher. The class is teacher-led. |
| Understanding comes through the child’s own experiences via the materials and the promotion of children’s ability to find things out for themselves. | Learning is based on subjects and is limited to information that is given by the teacher. |
| Children can work where they are comfortable, move around and talk at will while not disturbing others. | Children are usually assigned their own chair and encouraged to sit still and listen during group sessions. |
| The child’s individual development brings its own reward and therefore motivation. | Motivation is achieved by a system of rewards and punishments. |
| The environment and the method encourage internal self-discipline. | The teacher acts as primary enforcer of external discipline. |
| Mixed age groups allow children to develop at their own pace. | Same age groups leave some children far ahead, and others far behind. |
| There is shared emphasis on intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development. Also shared focus on the acquisition of academic, social, practical and life skills. | The main emphasis is on intellectual development, and academics.
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