Abstract/Notes: High-quality early childhood inclusion consists of providing access, participation, and supports to young children with disabilities (DEC/NAEYC, 2009). This case study examines how a public Montessori school provides early childhood inclusion to three, four, and five year olds with disabilities. Through interviews with Montessori teachers and administrators, classroom observations, and the administration of the Inclusive Classroom Profile (Soukakou, 2010), a number of supports and barriers to inclusion were identified. Supports included Montessori-unique practices, such as peer supports and multi-age classrooms which supported inclusion, and recommended practices in early childhood special education, such as teaming among professionals and offering accommodations and modifications. Barriers included restrictive systems-level special education policies.

Language: English

Published: Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, 2015

Language: English

Published: Moraga, California, 2008

Abstract/Notes: Most learners find science challenging, which may be because of the methodology used in the early years that presents it as difficult and abstract. On the other hand, the Montessori Method uses a hands-on approach to teaching science from the early years. This study, therefore, looks at the effect of the teachers' utilization of the Montessori approach to early childhood education in Ika South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, Nigeria. Two research questions and hypotheses were raised. The research design adopted for the study was a descriptive, pre-test, post-test, quasi-experimental method used to test the differences between the pupils' learning experiences in the two groups. The Taro Yamane formula was used to get the sample size, and a stratified random sampling technique was used to select 77 teachers and 40 nursery pupils, comprising ten each in experimental and control groups, in two schools in Ika South LGA of Delta State. The instruments to be used for this study will be self-designed multiple-choice achievement test questions in early years' science and four-point Likert-type self-structured questionnaires. The result indicates that teachers' knowledge and utilization of the Montessori approach to teaching pre-primary science is more effective than the conventional teaching method. Some suggestions were made for the way forward

Language: English

DOI: 10.33750/ijhi.v6i1.177

ISSN: 2614-6169

Language: English

Published: Moraga, California, 2016

Language: English

Published: Bloomington, Indiana, 2015

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this study was to analyze the perception pre-service early childhood teachers' the meaning of teaching. The subjects of this study were 39, senior in early childhood education. These Subjects wrote the Journal, "What is teaching?". A content analysis was conducted. The study results can be summarized as follows. Teaching is 'a valuable activity that not only take knowledges but also take goles, need a teachers' passion, understanding learner's mind, transmit the knowledges, teaching is learning, develop the learner's ability, show the model. The reason to perception were practicum in child care centers, assistant teachers, curricular for pre-service education. A clarifying the meaning of teaching is fundamental work for authentic teaching. / 본 연구는 예비교사들이 가르침에 대해 어떻게 생각하는가를 분석하고자 하였다. 연구대상은 4년제 대학 유아교육과 학생 39명이다. 연구 참여자들에게 '가르치는 일은 무엇인가'라는 주제로 저널쓰기를 실시하였다. 수집된 자료는 내용분석을 통해 분석되었다. 분석한 결과 다음과 같은 의미를 도출하였다. 가르치는 일은 '지식뿐만 아니라 어떤 목적을 이루는 가치 있는 활동이다, 가르치는 일에는 교사의 열정이 필요하다, 학습자를 잘 이해하는 것이다, 지식을 전달하는 것이다, 배우는 일과 같다, 학습자의 능력을 개발해주는 것이다, 교사가 모범을 보이는 것이다'로 인식하였다. 이러한 인식에 영향을 준 요인은 보육실습, 보조교사, 대학교에서의 수업 등 이었다. 가르치는 일에 대한 의미를 밝히는 것은 바람직한 수업을 하기 위한 기초 작업이 될 수 있다.

Language: Korean

ISSN: 1226-9417

Abstract/Notes: This study examined the nature of circle time within early childhood Montessori classrooms in the United States of America. We explored literature pertaining to the history and development of circle time as well as circle time research in preschool and kindergarten settings. Unable to find writings or research specific to Montessori circle time practices, we crafted a 30-question survey for early childhood Montessori teachers to determine basic information about their circle time approaches. The survey asked participants about demographic information, circle time logistics, circle time activities, reactions to circle time, planning and preparation, and the morning work cycle. Using social media and direct emails, we gathered over 300 responses from 50 states and the District of Columbia; a total of 276 participants completed the full survey. Results focused on five different areas: time - the frequency, duration, and scheduling of circle time; attendance - who joined circle time and for how long; teacher preparation - participants’ training and planning approaches; circle time programming - the most common and popular activities; the morning work cycle – its relation to circle time. Results revealed that 92% of survey participants have circle time every day or most days; most participants hold circle time as the last event of the morning for generally 20 minutes or less; the most common circle time events were show and tell, calendar work, vocabulary lessons, Grace and Courtesy lessons, read aloud discussions, dancing and movement, snack time, general conversation, read aloud (stories), and birthday celebrations. Most participants had a work cycle that lasts less than three hours. This study promotes reflection on the importance and meaning of circle time in Montessori classrooms in relation to its apparent absence in Dr. Montessori’s writings.

Language: English

Published: River Falls, Wisconsin, 2021

Abstract/Notes: This unique book explores research related to education for sustainability within early childhood education in the United Kingdom. Divided into the four home nations, it examines what education for sustainability looks like in practice, discusses the different application and positions of each region, and considers the contribution of early childhood education to support the Sustainable Development Goals. Each chapter considers the relevant early years framework and includes associated case studies which highlight connections between statutory guidance, policy and positive early years pedagogical practice. The authors use an education for sustainability lens to explore the critical issues and explicit and implicit links embedded in each of the curricula frameworks. Each chapter acknowledges the context of outdoor learning with discussion related to different interpretations of ecological sustainability. This exploration should help readers to consider the idea of sustainability within early childhood education. The book considers early childhood education as a distinct and valuable phase beyond the readiness for school discourse and recognises the importance of having skilful and knowledgeable adults to work with young children from birth. It offers a unique resource for students, practitioners, leaders and researchers engaged in the study of education for sustainability in early childhood and the importance of the early years for the development of life-long pro-environmental attitudes.

Language: English

Published: New York, New York: Routledge, 2017

Edition: 1st

ISBN: 978-1-315-64250-5

Abstract/Notes: This study examined the impact of Montessori training provided to Assistants in authentic Montessori schools that are operating as licensed childcare centers. The study looked at correlations between the implementation of a Montessori specific training program for Assistants and how that impacted the active engagement of the children throughout the morning work cycle. The Lead Teacher in the participating classroom was asked to take a time sampling of the students' engagement levels every 30 minutes during the morning work cycle for a 2 week period of time. This quantitative analysis was completed to determine how many children were wandering, actively engaged, disengaged or actively disengaged in their work. After the data collection period ended, Assistants were given training that focused on the Montessori method and philosophy, classroom management, and feedback/expectations in their role. Post-training, the goal was to conduct another 2 week round of time sampling to analyze if the engagement level of the children increased. However, during the training period, turnover at the participating school increased from 3% to 33%, leaving the researcher unable to fully complete the training before conducting another round of time sampling. Interviews during and after this period of time indicated that the reason for the turnover was due to an inauthentic Montessori classroom feel (55% of respondents) and/or personal reasons (45% of respondents.) With further research, the root causes of the "inauthentic classroom feel" were narrowed down to difficult child behaviors, transitions of children moving from the toddler room to the children's house room, and, overwhelmingly, a lack of Assistant training. While the original research project was unable to be completed due to the staff turnover, the root cause of the turnover pointed to the necessity of implementing an Assistant Training program in the future. Not only would this potentially decrease Teacher and Assistant turnover in the Montessori classroom, but better retention and more highly trained staff would most certainly have a positive impact on child engagement in the classroom.

Language: English

Published: River Falls, Wisconsin, 2019

Abstract/Notes: This action research project was created to study the different behaviors (focused and unfocused) that occurred when different types of music were played in the background of an early childhood Montessori classroom. The study took place at a private Montessori school located in the southeastern part of Wisconsin. There was a total of 26 children in the classroom which consisted of grades 3K through Kindergarten, with ages ranging between two and a half to six-years old. Over a six-week period, three different music conditions were implemented (two weeks at a time) into the background of the classroom environment; no music, classical music and Disney music. Focused and unfocused behaviors were observed and documented during each music condition. Quantitative and qualitative data collections were used and then analyzed to determine if music aids or deters a child’s focus. The results of the study showed that music does aid in helping a child focus during the work cycle of an early childhood Montessori classroom; specifically, the three-year olds showed the most increase in focused behavior when music played in the background. The effects of music on independent versus group work was also considered during this action research project as well as how to determine which music to include or avoid when playing music in the background of an early childhood classroom.

Language: English

Published: River Falls, Wisconsin, 2020