Language: Korean

ISSN: 1226-4415, 2733-9106

Abstract/Notes: When children enter preschool or kindergarten, they often seem to bring a spirit of wonder, great curiosity, and a spontaneous drive to explore, experiment and manipulate playfully and originally. Learning environments have been perceived to have the dual role of promoting as well as killing creativity. This has been attributed to the fact that as a child progresses through school years, teaching and learning become more dominant as play and self-exploration are stifled. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between play and creative drawing in Kenyan preschool children. A comparative study of the Montessori and the traditional public school system was carried out 48 preschool children between the ages of 4 and 6. Half were enrolled in Montessori while the other half in public schools Kenya. Through a qualitative design by the use of the Test of Creative Thinking Drawing Production (TCT-DP) (Urban & Jellen, 1996), and Rubin’s (2001) Play Observation Scale analyses were carried out. Independent sample t tests, Pearson product moment correlations and stepwise hierarchical multiple regressions were computed to determine whether interactions and differences in social play, cognitive play and creative drawing performance were apparent between Montessori and traditional public preschools. Statistically significant results were obtained indicating that Montessori children engaged in cognitive play more than public preschool children and had higher scores on creativity than public preschool children. In addition, age differences in social play as well as in creativity scores were found. However, no gender differences were apparent in social play, cognitive play or in creativity scores.

Language: English

Published: Munich, Germany: Herbert Utz Verlag, 2013

ISBN: 978-3-8316-4284-7

Abstract/Notes: The aim of this study is to analyze the peer play behaviors of preschool children according to views of their teachers and their parents by the type of school. The research sample consisted of parents of 36-72 months old children attending Private Montessori Preschools and Private Preschools in Çankaya, Ankara (N = 243) and teachers working in these schools (N = 46). Penn Interactive Peer Play Scale-Parent Form (PIPPS-P) and Penn Interactive Peer Play Scale-Teacher Form (PIPPS-T) that were developed by Fantuzzo, Mendez and Tighe (1998) and were made its adaptation to Turkish by Ahmetoğlu, Acar and Aral (2016, 2017), General Information Form "including sociodemographic characteristics of children and their parents and General Information Form which includes sociodemographic and professional characteristics of teachers were used. The study was designed in quantitative research approach and survey method was used. While analyzing the data, Independent Sample t Test, Paired t Test and descriptive statistical methods were used. In the result of the study; it is seen that the majority of the parents in both groups are between 36 and 40 years of age, they have a job and they work, have a nuclear family, and have one child. It is observed that teachers working in Montessori Private Schools are younger, have higher level education than the teachers working in Private Schools. It was found that all of the teachers allow outdoor time to children in daily routine in both groups. Outdoor time span varies from school to school at Montessori Private Preschools. Outdoor time span varies from school to school besides it varies from teacher to teacher in the same school at Private Preschools. It has seen in the research that Private preschools' teachers didn't take Montessori teacher training and Montessori preschool teacher's took Montessori teacher training. It was determined that the teachers working in the Montessori preschools took Montessori trainings from the school director that they are working for. Factor Analyses showed that there is no significant difference in the scores of "Play Disruption" and "Play Disconnection" factors of Penn Interactive Peer Play Scale-Parent Form (PIPPS-P) and Penn Interactive Peer Play Scale-Teacher Form (PIPPS-T) (p>0,05). There is significant difference in the third factor of both scales: "Play Disconnection" (p<0,05). Teacher scores are higher than parents' scores. In addition, the opinions of the teachers who participated in the research were compared with the opinions of parents. Factor analyes show that there is significant different in all areas (p<0,05). Teacher's scores are higher than parents' scores in tha factors of "Play Disruption" and "Play Disconnection". Parents' scores are higher than teachers' scores in factor of "Play Disconnection". Preschool is a period from three to six years. This age range is a period in which children play with their peers. As a result of playing with peers, positive play behaviors ("Play Interaction") such as sharing his/her toy with a friend, showing positive emotions during the play and negative play behaviors ("Play Disruption") such as usurping his/her friend toys, crying, showing agression are common play behaviors of preschool children. As a result of the study, both the teachers and parents' opinions show that the positive and negative play behaviors of children do not differ according to the type of school. In other words, there is no difference between the positive and negative play behaviors of preschool children who attend Montessori and who attend Non-Montessori schools. According to the result, we can say that wherever there is a child there is play and this situation does not differ according to the type of school. However, according to the type of school, the point that differs is about "Play Disconnection". The scores of the "Play Disconneciton" which includes play behaviors such as wandering outside the play group, refusing to participate in play are high in Montessori group. In other words, "Play Disconnection" behaviors are more common in children who are attending Montessori schools. The reason for the result can be explained by the principles of Montessori education. The principle of free choice and respect to the child. In Montessori schools, children are not forced for anything even play. Therefore, the child participates in the play whenever he/she wants. If he/she doesn't want to participate in the play it is okey for teachers so children are free walking in a classroom, outside the play group. / Bu çalışmada; Montessori eğitimi veren özel okul öncesi eğitim kurumlarına devam eden çocuklar ile MEB programı uygulayan özel okul öncesi eğitim kurumlarına devam eden çocukların oyun davranışlarının, anne-baba ve öğretmen görüşlerine göre incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu, Ankara ili Çankaya ilçesinde bulunan Montessori eğitimi veren özel okul öncesi eğitim kurumları ve MEB programı uygulayan özel okul öncesi eğitim kurumlarına devam eden 36-72 aylık çocukların anne-babaları (n=243) ve öğretmenleri (n=46) oluşturmaktadır. Çalışma grubundaki çocukların akran oyun davranışlarını incelemek amacıyla Fantuzzo, Mendez ve Tighe (1998) tarafından geliştirilen; Ahmetoğlu, Acar ve Aral (2016, 2017) tarafından Türkçeye uyarlaması yapılan "Penn Etkileşimli Akran Oyun Ölçeği Ebeveyn Formu (PEAOÖ-E)", "Penn Etkileşimli Akran Oyun Ölçeği Öğretmen Formu (PEAOÖ-Ö)", çocukların ve anne-babalarının sosyodemografik özelliklerini içeren "Anne-Baba Genel Bilgi Formu" ile öğretmenlerin sosyodemografik ve mesleki özelliklerini içeren "Öğretmen Genel Bilgi Formu" kullanılmıştır. Verilerin analizinde parametrik testlerden Bağımlı Örneklem t Tesi (Independent Samples t Test) ve Bağımsız Örneklem t Testi (Paired Samples t Test), tanımlayıcı istatistiksel metotlar (yüzde, ortalama, maksimum ve minumum değerler) kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada; her iki gruptaki anne-babalarının büyük çoğunluğunun 36-40 yaş aralığında olduğu, çalıştığı, çoğunluğunun çekirdek aileye ve tek çocuğa sahip olduğu görülmektedir. Montessori eğitimi uygulayan ÖOÖEK'da çalışan öğretmenlerin MEB programı uygulayan ÖOÖEK'ndaki öğretmenlere göre daha genç oldukları, lisans/lisansüstü mezuniyet oranının daha yüksek olduğu görülmektedir. Her iki grupta da öğretmenlerin, çocukları her gün açık havaya çıkardıkları, Montessori eğitimi veren okullarda günlük açık hava saatinin sadece okuldan okula değiştiği, okul bazında ise her okulun standart bir açık hava saati uygulamasının bulunduğu tespit edilmiştir. MEB programı uygulayan kuramlarda ise açık hava saatinin kurumdan kuruma ve aynı kurumda çalışan öğretmenden öğretmene değişiklik gösterdiği saptanmıştır. Montessori okullarında çalışan öğretmenlerin Montessori eğitimi almış ya da hali hazırda eğitim alıyor oldukları ve bu eğitimleri kurum müdürlerinin verdiği belirlenmiştir. Hem öğretmen (PEAOÖ-Ö) hem de ebeveyn formunun (PEAOÖ-E) "oyun etkileşimi" ve "oyunun bozulması" alt faktörlerinden alınan puanlar arasındaki farklılık anlamlı değilken (p>0,05), "oyundan kopma" davranışında Montessori eğitimi veren ÖOÖEK devam eden çocuklar yönünde anlamlı farklılık bulunduğu görülmüştür (p<0,05). Araştırmaya alınan çocukların akran oyun davranışlarının anne-baba ve öğretmen görüşleri arasında farklılık bulunup bulunmadığı incelenmiş; "Oyun Ektileşimi, Oyunun Bozulması ve Oyundan Kopma" faktörlerinin tümünde anlamlı farklılık olduğu tespit edilmiştir. "Oyun Etkileşimi ve Oyunun Bozulması" alt faktörlerindeki anlamlılık öğretmen görüşü yönünde farklılık gösteriyor iken "Oyundan Kopma" alt faktörü anne-baba görüşü yönünde anlamlı farklılık göstermektedir. Okul öncesi dönem üç-altı yaş arasını kapsayan bir dönemdir. Bu yaş aralığı çocukların akranları ile yoğun bir şekilde oyun oynadıkları bir dönemdir. Akranları ile oyun oynamanın bir sonucu olarak çocuklarda "Oyun Etkileşimi" alt faktörünün altında bulunan "arkadaşı ile oyuncağını paylaşma, oyun esnasında olumlu duygular gösterme" gibi olumlu oyun davranışları ve "Oyunun Bozulması" alt faktörünün altında bulunan "arkadaşının oyuncağını zorla alma, ağlama, kızgınlık gösterme" gibi olumsuz oyun davranışlarını gösterme durumları olağandır. Araştırma sonucundan da anlaşılacağı üzere hem öğretmen hem de anne-baba görüşlerine bakıldığında çocukların olumlu ve olumsuz oyun davranışları okul türüne göre farklılık göstermemektedir. Diğer bir ifade ile Montessori eğitimi alan ve almayan okul öncesi dönem çocuklarının olumlu ve olumsuz sayılabilecek oyun davranışlarında farklılık bulunmamaktadır. Bu sonuca göre diyebiliriz ki çocuğun bulunduğu her yerde oyun da mevcuttur ve bu durum okul türüne göre farklılık göstermemektedir. Fakat okul türüne göre farklılık gösteren nokta ise "Oyundan Kopma" alt faktöründedir. "Oyun grubunun dışında gezinir, oyuna katılmayı reddetme" gibi davranışları içeren "Oyundan Kopma" alt faktörünün puanları Montessori eğitimi alan çocuklarda yüksek çıkmıştır. Yani oyundan kopma davranışı Montessori eğitimi alan çocuklarda daha sık görülmektedir. Bunun sebebi de Montessori eğtiminin ilkelerinden çocuğa saygı, özgür seçim ilkesi, konsantrasyon ile açıklanabilir. Montessori okullarında çocuklar hiçbirşey için oyun oynamak için dahi zorlanmazlar. Dolayısıyla çocuk istediği zaman oyuna katılır, istemediğinde ise sınıfta serbest gezmede özgürdür.

Language: Turkish

Published: Ankara, Turkey, 2019

Abstract/Notes: Alternative educational concepts evolved in response to classical educational methods in which children are placed in a passive position and the transfer of knowledge is cultivated as a form of teaching. Models of alternative pedagogy (Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio, Agazzi) advocate developmentally appropriate practices which Bredekamp (1993) describes as a presence of different strategies, i.e., child-oriented behaviours of teachers and responding to the child's individual needs. In order to help each child to grow into a universal and competent individual from preschool age, it is necessary to encourage their imagination and creativity, as well as to acquire habits of cooperation and coexistence with other children. One of the activities which promote these desirable characteristics in children is handicraft. Many studies and findings in the area of neuroscience, multiple intelligences theories, and the aforementioned alternative pedagogical concepts emphasize the importance of handicraft and point out its benefits not only for children but for the entire community. However, such an approach to children's learning and activity is poorly represented in educational institutions. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the views of preschool teachers and parents on handicraft activities and its more frequent use in regular preschool programs. The survey was conducted by an anonymous questionnaire on a sample of 316 respondents, preschool teachers (N=141) and parents (N=175). The results of the study show that both preschool teachers and parents agree that certain elements of alternative concepts such as handicraft have a positive impact on the overall development of the child and that they are useful and practical life skills. They also agree that handicraft activities should be used in educational institutions to a greater extent. [Conference Name: 14th International Technology, Education and Development Conference; ISBN: 9788409179398; Place: Valencia, Spain]

Language: English

Published: Valencia, Spain: International Academy of Technology, Education and Development (IATED), 2020

Pages: 1511-1519

DOI: 10.21125/inted.2020.0499

ISBN: 978-84-09-17939-8

Abstract/Notes: Many researchers have investigated the cooperative problem solving (CPS) of children during play; however, there is a lack of studies focused on teachers’ beliefs about how to support the development of children’s CPS in classrooms. This study aims to investigate the pedagogical beliefs of Chinese (n = 3) and US (n = 3) teachers about the CPS of children during play and their decision-making capabilities in supporting children to advance this skill in classrooms. A semi-structured interview was conducted with the integration of video-stimulated recall approach in order to achieve this aim. Results confirm that the Chinese and US teachers believe that children are competent and have the autonomy to decide how to solve problems with their peers. The beliefs are similar across the teachers, whereas their execution of these beliefs varies, which reflects their cultural uniqueness in scaffolding and creating classroom environments.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1007/s10643-020-01087-9

ISSN: 1082-3301, 1573-1707

Language: English

Published: Denver, Colorado: Living the Good News, 2002

Volume: 1 of 3

Abstract/Notes: With the passing of NCLB in 2001, pedagogy in the kindergarten classroom has changed exponentially. The requirement for a rigorous academic curriculum has replaced the play-based learning that used to be synonymous with the kindergarten classroom. Since the beginning of kindergarten, researchers have worked to prove the importance of play in the classroom and the role of the educator in these play-based learning scenarios. Many studies have found a correlation between play and child development, but this has not been enough to change the minds of educators and school districts across the United States. This qualitative case study explored teachers’ perceptions and classroom interactions during play through a triangulation of data including video recordings, interviews, and observations to explore the effect play might have on the social, emotional, and oral language development of kindergarten students in a district that is already implementing free play centers in the classroom. Varying beliefs among the educators and multiple scenarios of social, emotional, and oral language development skills being used by students during these free play sessions were explored. Key themes that emerged from the data included a range of understanding amongst the teachers, the need for regular professional development on how to implement play in the classroom, and the importance dramatic play has on social, emotional, and oral language development for kindergarten students.

Language: English

Published: Springfield, Missouri, 2022

Abstract/Notes: This thesis, underpinned by cross-cultural design ethnography (DE) and research through design (RtD), re-reads play-based learning constructs as design practice. In doing so, it charts the shifting relationship between design and theories of play-based learning. The work frames the design of play-based learning processes, from their emergence in historical learning environments such as the Montessori method to current pedagogies of STEAM learning. This evolutionary focus will be of interest to a wide range of stakeholders such as pedagogues, designers, and policy makers, each of whom contribute to where, what and how children are taught. This thesis presents the following arguments: Firstly, it frames and re-reads key historical play pedagogues as designers and design thinkers, whose work has shaped and influenced the evolution of play-based learning through the inception of play artefacts, spaces, and structures. This thesis further elucidates that design-thinking has been at the heart of play-based learning, demonstrated through the design of modular and standardised pedagogic objects and spaces of historic learning environments. The design evolution within this framework helps to enlighten the development of tinkering and iterative prototyping as twenty-first century affordances of learning through play. Secondly, this thesis uses observation-based design ethnography of the Montessori method, to argue that Montessori’s restrictive pedagogy can be counterproductive to learning through intuitive processes of exploration and iteration. Thirdly, by adapting the practice-based research method of research through design (RtD), the thesis demonstrates and proposes that twenty-first century design affordances of tinkering and iteration can be suitably integrated to enrich historic play-based learning environments such as the Montessori method. In each of these arguments, the ways in which pedagogic theories of play are interwoven with the language of design thinking are revealed. By bringing into focus the triad of play, pedagogy, and design, an additional educational landscape of twenty-first century cultural learning environments is explored. Cultural learning environments (CLEs) such as museums and public galleries extend the scope of play-based learning beyond formalised spaces of schools and bring into relief, the predominance of design while incepting platforms, ateliers, and activities to initiate learning through play.

Language: English

Published: Edinburgh, Scotland, 2021

Abstract/Notes: This project explores how mathematics growth and development can be supported, documented and assessed in an emergent play-based early childhood education environment inspired by the practices and principles of Reggio Emilia. Using the California Preschool Learning Foundations as a framework, Math Play includes developmentally appropriate activities and environments that support cognitive development within the mathematics domain. This curriculum documents how a classroom's emergent themes were interwoven into activities and environments that did not oppose the practices and principles of the approach. Math Play successfully documented each child's mathematic understanding as well as areas needing further growth and development. With the California Preschool Learning Foundations as a framework, teachers can use Math Play to establish a child's level of understanding within this domain that plays one of important roles in assessing a child's school readiness. Math Play provides examples of how teachers can use authentic formative portfolios for assessment of growth and development. Math Play provides an alternative for standardized assessment in an emergent play-based environment that authenticates the experiences that preschool children are having while growing and developing in a Reggio Emilia inspired environment. After implementation of Math Play the following two findings were deduced : 1. Children engaged and demonstrated a range of mathematic growth and development that corresponds with the eighteen sub-strands of the California Preschool Learning Foundations. 2. Authentic formative portfolios provided an effective way to discuss individual child mathematic growth and development with assistant teachers and parents. In addition to these findings the children who were involved in this research continued to grow and develop by engaging in activities that furthered their mathematic foundation after Math Play implementation

Language: English

Published: San Diego, California, 2012

Abstract/Notes: Maria Montessori carried out both theoretical and practical studies on child education. When Montessori's studies are examined, it is seen that she made original contributions both in education of children and - although not very well known – in religious education. The purpose of this study is to examine the different aspects of Montessori's practices on religious education and to examine the Godly Play approach developed by Berryman in terms of theoretical foundations and application processes. Qualitative research method was used for this purpose. Data was collected through document review. At the end of the study, it is concluded that Montessori gave special importance to applied religious education in the school she founded in Barcelona where she stayed for 20 years. She practically demonstrated that it is possible to study religion and spirituality based on experience and work in a suitable school environment which arranged according to the level of development of children, not a systematic and theoretical religious education. Berryman has developed her educational approach and made it more systematic. Although he has diverged markedly from the Montessori tradition, he has developed a Protestant interpretation of early childhood religious education. In this approach; it is claimed that the Bible stories can be included with appropriate materials in the classroom environment and they can be introduced to the world of children. In order to achieve this goal, the classes should be organized as Montessori’s style, where children would be left alone with the word of God, and they would get meaning from the material themselves. As a result, it can be argued that this approach can be used for other religions with appropriate method and content arrangements. / Maria Montessori çocuk eğitimi konusunda hem teorik hem de uygulamalı birçok çalışma gerçekleştirmiştir. Montessori’nin çalışmaları incelendiğinde hem çocuk eğitiminde hem de -çok bilinmemekle birlikte- din eğitiminde özgün girişimlerde bulunduğu görülür. Çalışmamız; Montessori’nin din eğitimi konusundaki uygulamalarını farklı yönleri ile ele almayı, Jerome W. Berryman’ın geliştirdiği Godly Play yaklaşımını teorik temeller ve uygulama süreçleri açısından incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda nitel araştırma yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Veriler doküman inceleme yolu ile toplanmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda, Montessori’nin yaklaşık 20 yıl kaldığı Barselona’da kurduğu okulda uygulamalı din eğitimine ayrı bir önem verdiği görülmüştür. Sistematik ve teorik bir din eğitiminin değil, çocukların gelişim düzeylerine göre düzenlenmiş uygun bir çevrede ve okul ortamında, tecrübeye ve çalışmaya dayalı bir din ve maneviyat eğitiminin mümkün olduğunu uygulamalı olarak göstermiştir. Onun eğitim anlayışını daha sistematik bir hale getiren Berryman, bazı yönleriyle Montessori geleneğinden ayrılmakla birlikte, temelde Montessori’ye dayanan erken çocukluk dönemi din eğitiminin Protestan yorumunu geliştirmiştir. Bu yaklaşımda; İncil kıssalarının sınıf ortamında uygun materyaller ile sergilenebileceği ve bunların çocukların dünyasına dâhil edilebileceği iddia edilir. Bunu sağlamak için ayinlerden ziyade çocukların Tanrı’nın kelamı ile baş başa kalacakları ve ilgili materyalden kendi anlamlarını çıkaracakları Montessori sınıfları düzenlenmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda söz konusu yaklaşımın uygun yöntem ve içerik düzenlemeleri ile diğer dinler için de kullanılabileceği görülmüştür.

Language: Turkish

DOI: 10.34234/ded.552117

ISSN: 1303-880X