Aarohi Compared to Montessori, Waldorf, Progressive, HomeSchooling and traditional Education Systems.
Aarohi has a unique education philosophy. Aarohi means evolving – hence is does not itself stick or subscribe to anyone kind of education system. The core is based on two thoughts
- Education is about child’s life and hence should be led by the child.
- Each child is capable – is am’able.
The comparison below is only to elucidate on aarohi. The points covered are obviously gross simplifications. No attempt is made to put down any system and according to us all systems and specifically their implementation in different places is different. Hope this comparison helps in people to understand Aarohi better. If you think we have made an incorrect observation about another system – so point it out to us. Do also read the original article written by Romey of FairHaven School (USA)
Aarohi vs. Montessori
Similarities: In both settings, children are allowed more freedom and are encouraged to make decisions about what interests them at the moment. Both understand the fact that children are naturally curious and do not need to be forced to learn.
Differences: Children in a Montessori environment are only offered specific options presented by the teacher. At Aarohi, children can pursue anything – absolutely anything which is available in this world – the whole world is their curriculum. Montessori educators believe that all children learn according to specific patterns and sequences. Aarohi makes no assumptions about how individual children will learn at any age.
Aarohi vs. Waldorf
Similarities: Both are not concerned solely with academic success, but in the happiness and full all-around potential of each individual. Children are not forced to read early, as traditional schools do. Both believe that intensely involved playtime is crucial to the development of children’s mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual selves.
Differences: Unlike Waldorf schools, Aarohi has no predetermined curriculum. The community meetings at Aarohi have a democratic approach where the children and adults together assess and modify the culture of the community.
Aarohi vs. Alternate Schools
Similarities: Most alternate schools respect the child, provide a lot of choices, are not mandated by academic achievement and testing plays a limited role. Both models believe that students should not be evaluated by “objective” testing.
Differences: Most alternative schools still follow curriculum/syllabus as prescribed by CBSE / ICSE etc and hence child has to go through a certain structured learning every day decided by the curriculum. In Aarohi the child decides what to learn every day. Also, most alternate schools are not truly democratic – decisions are taken primarily by the management/teacher team. In Aarohi – proposals might come from any source, the decision is made by all, together.
Aarohi vs. Homeschooling / Unschooling
Similarities: Both believe that children are born curious and eager to succeed in life and that children learn best through experience and experimentation rather than by being told how and what to think. Both believe in the philosophy that is often referred to as “Unschooling”.
Differences: Homeschoolers for the most part, see the family environment as the best place for children to grow, while Aarohi believes that, children and parents have complex relationships and interdependencies which make it harder for children to discover true independence within the family. In most homeschooling families, the parent sees him or herself as ultimately responsible for the child’s education, while at Aarohi, that responsibility rests squarely with the child.
Aarohi vs. Conventional Schooling System
Similarities: Conventional Schooling is also concerned about the child’s learning and so is Aarohi.
Differences: In Aarohi Children decide what to learn, how to learn, when to learn, with whom to learn, how much to learn, how well to learn. In conventional schooling, all of this is decided by the school/system. Also in most conventional schools parents role is more of customers, while in Aarohi they play an active role of partners.
Also see this presentation – Comparison with Conventional Education
This article was adapted and inspired from an article written by Fairhaven School. If you would like to read about the similarities and differences of Sudbury model schools versus other schooling methods, the full-length article can found here: http://www.fairhavenschool.com/ok-so-youre-sort-of-like