Abstract/Notes: There is very little research about children with Autism in Montessori early childhood education in Aotearoa New Zealand. This study examined parents’ and teachers’ perspectives of children with Autism attending Montessori early childhood education environments. This thesis documents literature that explores and critiques Montessori philosophy and the teaching of children on the Autism spectrum. The purpose of this study was to gain insights into the Montessori teaching approach in early childhood education, as a supportive environment for children with Autism in the early years. However, I discovered that the Montessori environment is less than ideal if the teachers do not understand Autism Spectrum Disorder and do not make allowances for the symptoms that present themselves. It was my intention to explore the factors that complemented both Montessori and the support of children with Autism with an approach that is conducive to learning and encourages positive behavioural patterns. The findings revealed three main indicators being identified as important. These were social competence, language and communication, and individual interests and sensory implications. However, not all findings were positive. The parents all agreed that the teachers needed to be flexible and understanding in their approach, and many Montessori teachers are strict in their routine and are not prepared to sway from their teaching method to assist a child with Autism. This study suggests that Montessori early childhood teachers would benefit from professional development in the areas of including children with special needs, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder, particularly in regards to understanding the unique characteristics of children with Autism and how they can effectively use the Montessori philosophy, equipment and prepared environment to support each child’s learning and development. Suggestions for future professional learning for Montessori teachers include the provision of professional development in including children with “special needs”, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder for Montessori early childhood teachers. It is not only the Montessori philosophy and the prepared environment that supports the child with Autism, but the teacher’s awareness of the child’s needs and a willingness to be flexible in their approach.

Language: English

Published: Auckland, New Zealand, 2015

Abstract/Notes: Little is currently known about how teachers in New Zealand Montessori early childhood centres reflect on Montessori philosophy and practice individually and collaboratively within teaching teams. The purpose of this research was to discover the current views about reflection on Montessori philosophy, the barriers teachers faced in reflecting and opportunities they identified for reflection. The impact that requirements for self review and teacher reflection have had on the approach taken to reflection, inquiry and professional learning by teachers in Montessori early childhood centres was also investigated. This research study used a mixed method case study and data was collected from teachers working in Montessori early childhood centres through semistructured interviews with three groups and an online survey of individual teachers. Participants placed high importance on reflection. However some participants were reluctant to critique Montessori philosophy; either because they viewed it as ‘valid’ or because they were concerned about being regarded as ‘heretical’ by other teachers. Participants felt safe raising questions within their teaching teams, but were more wary of debating and questioning philosophical issues with teachers in the wider Montessori community. Others regarded reflection as an opportunity to develop a shared understanding of Montessori philosophy and practice in their early childhood centre. Despite the participants’ perception that their team spent time reflecting on Montessori philosophy and relating this to daily teaching practice, it was still a challenge to make these reflective activities a priority in limited centre team meeting times. In addition, it appears that more support is needed to improve skills and knowledge about how the cyclical process of review or inquiry can engage with Montessori philosophy, inform centre philosophy, drive centre practice and improve outcomes for children. This study suggests that teachers would benefit from the creation of ‘safe spaces’ where they can engage with colleagues from their own or other Montessori early childhood centres in debate and discussion so that teaching practice becomes based on critical engagement with the underlying theoretical or philosophical principles of Montessori education.

Language: English

Published: Wellington, New Zealand, 2014

Abstract/Notes: This research paper addresses the theme "Montessori Method: contributions to Early Childhood Education". This research sought to answer the research problem "How does the use of the Montessori Method contribute to the learning process of early childhood education children aged 4 to 5 years?" The research described was of an applied nature, qualitative in terms of approach, exploratory in relation to its objectives, in the field modality and developed through the Case Study methodology (GIL, 2008). For data collection, semi-structured interviews were applied to teachers and principals of two early childhood education schools. The data collected through these interviews were analyzed through discursive textual analysis (MORAES, 2003) and based on theoretical contributions, including Montessori (1965), Piaget (1978) and Vygotsky (2001). Data analysis allowed identifying the following study blocks: "The Montessori Method and learning in Early Childhood Education, the Montessori Method and its role in building the freedom and autonomy of the child" and" The training of Montessoian teachers and their performance in the pandemic". The study allowed us to elaborate some knowledge to provide answers to the research problem and my questions. These constructed knowledge scans that the teachers and the principals shared their look at how the Montessori Method contributes to the child of Early Childhood Education beginning to build their independence, freedom and autonomy. I highlight the importance of their participation in deepening the research, through the reports of their practices with the application of the method in focus. The theoretical deepening also contributed to the understanding of the study contributing to my teacher education in this area that delights me a lot. / A presente pesquisa aborda o tema "Método Montessori: contribuições para a Educação Infantil". A referida investigação buscou resposta ao problema de pesquisa "De que forma o emprego do Método Montessori contribui no processo de aprendizagem das crianças da Educação Infantil na faixa etária de 4 a 5 anos?" A investigação descrita, de natureza aplicada, qualitativa quanto à abordagem, exploratória em relação aos seus objetivos, na modalidade de campo, foi desenvolvida através da metodologia de Estudo de Caso (GIL, 2008). Para a coleta os dados foram aplicadas entrevistas semiestruturadas a professoras e diretoras de duas escolas de Educação Infantil que empregam o Método Montessori em sua proposta pedagógica. Os dados coletados através das referidas entrevistas foram analisados por meio da técnica de análise textual discursiva (MORAES, 2003) e fundamentados em aportes teóricos entre os quais destaco Montessori (1965), Piaget (1978) e Vygotsky (2001). A análise dos dados permitiu identificar os seguintes blocos de estudo "O Método Montessori e a aprendizagem na Educação Infantil, O Método Montessori e seu papel na construção da liberdade e da autonomia da criança e a formação de professores montessorianos e sua atuação na pandemia". O estudo realizado permitiu elaborar alguns conhecimentos para dar respostas ao problema de pesquisa e às minhas indagações. A análise dos dados coletados e a experiência das participantes da pesquisa proporcionaram a compreensão de como o Método Montessori contribui para que a criança da Educação Infantil comece a construir sua independência, liberdade e autonomia. Ainda, foi possível fazer um aprofundamento teórico sobre o Método em foco e analisar como ocorre a prática pedagógica montessoriana neste momento de pandemia, contribuindo para minha formação docente nesta área que muito me encanta.

Language: Portuguese

Published: Bento Gonçalves, Brazil, 2021

Language: Korean

Published: Daegu, South Korea, 1992

Language: Korean

Language: Korean

ISSN: 1226-2722

Language: German

ISSN: 0032-6798

Abstract/Notes: In 2002, the Ministry of Education in New Zealand released Pathways to the Future: Nga Huarahi Arataki. This 10year strategic plan for early childhood education was the culmination of years of advocacy, research and consultation within the early childhood sector. A key component of the plan is a staged requirement for teachers in early childhood centres to have a Diploma of Teaching ECE or equivalent qualification. The study analyses the impact on the Montessori early childhood sector of the requirement that teachers in a centre be qualified with a Diploma or equivalent. This thesis draws on the results of a qualitative study involving interviews with key policy informants and focus groups of teachers and the story that emerges describes the complexities, frustrations and positive outcomes for centres and their teachers. The story points to a need for support, intervention and creative strategies to ensure no part of the early childhood sector is left behind, and diversity within early childhood education in New Zealand is maintained. The final outcome of the study raises the dilemma faced by the Montessori community; how can the approach accommodate the current ideas of early childhood education brought to centres through the policy requirement and remain identifiably Montessori?

Language: English

Published: Wellington, New Zealand, 2008

Language: English

Published: Lanham, Maryland: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2021

ISBN: 978-1-4758-5635-4

Language: English

Published: Lanham, Maryland: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2021

ISBN: 978-1-4758-5635-4