The HighScope approach is described as similar to which other early education method?

• A. Montessori
• B. Reggio Emilia
• C. HighScope
• D. Universal Design for Learning

Answer: (A)

HighScope and Montessori share a focus on independent, active learning in a carefully prepared environment. In HighScope, children plan what they will do, carry out their activities, and then review what they learned with teacher support—a cycle that puts the learner in the driver’s seat and builds deliberate, reflective practice. Montessori follows a similar spirit: children choose from a rich set of hands-on materials arranged in the classroom, work at their own pace, and receive guidance from a teacher who facilitates rather than directs.

Both approaches use concrete, self-correcting materials and structured opportunities for exploration, which helps children develop autonomy, concentration, and problem-solving skills. Teachers observe and support progress, tailoring learning experiences to each child’s interests and development, rather than delivering rote instruction.

Other methods emphasize different priorities—Reggio Emilia centers on collaborative inquiry and project-based exploration; Universal Design for Learning focuses on making learning accessible to all students through multiple means. Those distinctions mean they don’t align as closely with HighScope’s balanced blend of structured routine and learner-led activity as Montessori does.