Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this paper is to describe the effects of peace education on children’s prosocial behavior. This action research implemented peace education for six weeks in an early childhood classroom of 19 children, in the U.S., ages three to six. Qualitative data including interviews, observational logs, field notes, and a journal were collected. Quantitative data included a tally sheet of incidents and surveys of the children. The research concluded that peace education affected children’s prosocial behavior, increasing the number of prosocial behavior incidents, raising children’s awareness, knowledge, and skills for prosocial behavior, while positively impacting children’s prosocial behavior in the community. Further study was recommended to reinforce the findings by implementing peace education for a longer period of time, applying it in other classrooms, modifying activities and approaches to reach more children, such as those with special needs and behavioral problems, and educating parents in peace education at home.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2019

Abstract/Notes: This action research project examined how the implementation of Kindness Guidelines affected prosocial behavior among Early Childhood students. The setting was a private Montessori school, with 18 children ages two to five-years-old. Guidelines were developed using child-generated ideas on how to be kind to themselves, others, and the environment, along with teacher-made materials that illustrated acts of kindness and emotional awareness. Implementation of the intervention lasted six weeks with 20 days of data collected during two 15-20 minute observations per day. Positive and negative behaviors were recorded using tally sheets and an observation journal. Use of teacher-made materials was tracked using a materials log, and children expressed their ideas about kindness through drawings. Data analysis showed that positive behaviors increased and indicated the changes were related to the intervention. Ideas for further research include increasing emotional awareness in children and how the practice of observation affects children’s behavior.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2017

Abstract/Notes: This study investigated the viability and implications of technology-assisted story writing with kinder year students. Seven kinder year students at a private Montessori school participated in the study. Pre- and post-study conferences and Likert scales determined story writing skills and attitudes. These were followed by one-on-one storywriting sessions using a variety of story-writing tools. Students were given the choice of story-writing method at each session. Individual sessions were evaluated and completed stories compared to a rubric of fundamental story-writing elements. Stories written by the students improved with the use of computer and iPad programs, but independent story writing was not achieved. Individual phonetic abilities proved pivotal to any success with technology-assisted story writing. The results of the study suggest introducing technology-assisted story writing when a child can successfully build words phonetically.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2017

Abstract/Notes: The study aimed to determine in what way daily grace and courtesy lessons and more thoughtful, consistent adult intervention would affect children’s responses to conflict in an early childhood Montessori environment. There were 17 participants between the ages of three and six in an independent Montessori school in Northern Michigan. The researcher gave the children daily lessons on aspects of conflict resolution, used a scripted intervention strategy during conflict, and implemented three guided discussions throughout the course of the study. The researcher collected data by tallying number of conflicts, recording responses during guided discussions, recording details and language of each conflict, and reflecting in a journal. The study revealed that children knew many conflict resolution strategies before beginning the intervention, but they used more language from the lessons after the intervention and solved more conflicts independently. The number of conflicts decreased overall but did not consistency decline. The data shows further research is needed to support children to calm down before attempting to apply conflict resolution strategies and to determine the most effective waiting time before teacher intervention.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2017

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this research was to determine if the addition of natural loose parts, or manipulatives, to the outdoor play yard would increase creativity in the classroom. This study took place in a private Montessori school with 14 children ages 3 to 6 years old over a five-week period. Various methods were used to gather information to determine any change in creativity. Observations of creative behaviors, concentration (state of flow), and spontaneous collaboration were collected as well as drawing tests for creative thinking, and samples of creative writing and artwork. The results of the study found that the loose parts did not increase creativity in the classroom. However, the addition of the loose parts did correlate with an increase in collaboration, imaginative play and a possible increase in concentration. Suggestions for further research include extending the amount of time the study took place, and focusing on one age rather than a mixed aged grouping.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2016

Abstract/Notes: The importance of teaching communication and conflict resolution skills in early childhood is explored in this action research. Previous research suggests that young children are capable of learning conflict resolution skills from an early age. After observing that conflict resolution was not successfully addressed in many different classroom environments, the need to research and model clear, compassionate language was apparent. This study was conducted in a Montessori classroom of 21 children, ages three to six. Within the framework of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), the children learned to voice their feelings, hear others, and have their personal needs met. I recorded reports on each conflict, along with a daily tally of conflicts and a daily self-reflection. During this intervention, the children were only beginning to show the ability to solve conflicts independently. Results showed an increase in conflicts successfully resolved. As the environment continues to practice NVC, the children would likely continue to expand their capacity to communicate clearly and resolve conflicts without the aid of an adult.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2016

Language: English

ISSN: 0889-5643

Language: English

Published: Parkville, Victoria, Australia: Australian Society for Music Education, Jan 2005

Pages: 295-296

ISBN: 0-9577413-5-9 0-9577413-6-7

Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

Abstract/Notes: "...Primary education starts at the age ofsix in Nepal. Parents were not aware of the need of institutional education for their preschool children before the establishment of a Montessori School by the government for the first time in 1949. This school was based on the philosophy of the early childhood educationalist Madam Montessori. Since then the idea of early childhood education started to grow in the context ofNepal. With the establishment of a College of Education (Now Faculty of Education) in 1956, the Montessori School was merged into its Laboratory School. Thus, this Montessori School lost its separate identity and started to work as a downward extension of the Laboratory School of the college. Since then, this model as a downward extension of primary school was followed by the private and boarding schools..."

Language: English

DOI: 10.1007/BF03174504

ISSN: 0020-7187, 1878-4658