The aim of the work is to compare experimental and theoretical education in the elementary school. A teaching experiment, conducted by the author, allows him to conclude that the theoretical education is preferable when particular generalizations are required to be made and the empirical one - when the subject to be mastered does not require them. In order to improve the process of teaching it is recommended that the level of the pupils' knowledge on the given topic as well as their general preparedness for it be preliminary examined and the choice between the two methods done on the basis of the examination. The author believes that this approach can significantly improve the individual-differential teaching methods.