Abstract/Notes: This action research study investigated the use of child-led play in an after school club as a means to reduce peer conflict and increase cooperation. Prior literature suggests that children behave differently during imaginative play and exhibit greater natural behavior regulation when adult involvement is limited or removed. A small group of child participants, aged 9-14 years, were given materials necessary for a roleplaying game where players take on imaginary characters and cooperatively complete dangerous quests. One child acted as game leader, designing the adventure’s challenges and providing rules adjudication. The children attended six game sessions and completed questionnaires after each meeting. I recorded incidents of conflict between children and rated each game tables' self-management of disagreement. The children also provided verbal feedback in large group discussions. This study indicated that child conflict decreased over time while child awareness increased. Additionally, the children enjoyed their participation. The children who acted as game leaders experienced the greatest change in awareness, resulting in higher expectations of their fellow students. This study has convinced me to incorporate more child-led activity in curricular and extracurricular scenarios. The empathy and self-awareness that grew from leadership during free-play proved the children's good use of independence.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2016

Abstract/Notes: This article was digitized by the Royal Danish Library. Each page of the article is available as a separate PDF file. Page 1 (p. 363): http://img.kb.dk/iti/60/pdf/iti_60_0375.pdf Page 2 (p. 364): http://img.kb.dk/iti/60/pdf/iti_60_0376.pdf

Language: Danish

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this research was to determine the effects on students’ ability to self regulate while learning about daily mindfulness lessons. The study took place over the course of six weeks in an upper elementary class of 20 students, including four fourth graders, nine fifth graders, and seven sixth graders. The study was conducted in a rural public Montessori school in the Midwest. Students participated in a six-week mindfulness unit from The Mind Up Curriculum (The Hawn Foundation, 2011). The researcher collected data through a pre-and postassessment, students’ self reflections and graphs, researcher’s observation, and researcher’s daily journal. The data suggested students, when given mindfulness lessons, could become more selfregulated. From pre and post assessment, there was a 170% growth in the number of students who would like to use mindfulness techniques in their future. Although the numbers increased, further research could demonstrate effects of mindfulness lessons for on-task behavior and selfregulation over a longer period of time.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2017

Abstract/Notes: This study sought to determine if the implementation of a cyclical process of student goal setting, monitoring of progress, and reflection would improve task performance and intrinsic motivation in middle school learners. Fifteen upper-elementary children in a public Montessori classroom were selected and grouped according to student and teacher perception of their performance the previous year. Prior to the intervention, students completed an assessment of their self-regulation abilities. All students received lessons on goal setting, monitoring, and reflection with the use of a self-regulation notebook to make themselves aware of the standards, set goals, track their progress, and reflect on performance. Teachers collected data regarding on-task performance and on-task behavior. The results showed an increase in both on-task behavior and task completion, but no consistent increase in students’ perception of their self-regulation abilities. A suggestion for further research could be conducting a study of the effect that intentional conversation and student interviews would have on student self-perception of their ability to self-regulate.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2017

Abstract/Notes: This research sought to determine the effect of implementing an anti-bias curriculum on the selfidentity of children in a private primary Montessori classroom. Twenty-two students aged three to six from a highly concentrated urban community in a northeastern coastal city participated in the study. Pre and post discussion questions, a running log of personal observations, visible child-produced artifacts, and an attribute checklists were the four tools used in this study. These tools determined the effect of the anti-bias work on each child’s ability to self-identify. The interactions and artifacts produced specific and traceable data on children’s thoughts and perceptions before and during the implementation of anti-bias work. Data analysis concluded that the study impacted the student’s ability to self-identify positively. To further investigate this work, I will continue to present anti-bias materials, engage in discussions, and provide diverse works for all children to explore in the inclusive environment.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2017

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this action research project was to study the effects of goal-setting and self-reflection on the intrinsic motivation and on task behavior of students in an upper level (ages 9-12) public Montessori classroom. The project used multiple data sources to better understand the impact of goal-setting and self-reflection on student academic achievement, prosocial behavior, and emotional wellbeing. Teacher-made rating scales and self-reflection prompts were used to determine student outlook on completion of their goals while semi-structured student interviews, given at the beginning, middle, and end of the project, gave insight into student perceptions of goal-setting benefits. After analyzing the results of the data, it was found that weekly short term and long range goal-setting can have a positive impact on student achievement, prosocial behavior, and emotional wellbeing.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2018

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this action research was to determine the effect of a variety of mindfulness activities and exercises on self-regulation. Twenty-eight students from a lower elementary class of first, second, and third graders in a public Montessori school participated in the study. Data was collected over a period of six weeks using an on task behavior tally sheet, productivity scoring rubric, observational notes, behavior logs, self-assessments, student feedback, and an auditory following directions matrix. Results show a promising association between mindfulness and self-regulation. All students enjoyed partaking in mindfulness and reported positive associations with the intervention and showed increases in multiple measures. Improvements were observed in productivity, behavior, listening and following directions, and focus to include a decrease in the amount of disruptive behaviors. The data shows that mindfulness can be integrated into the classroom to assist students socially, emotionally and academically. Further research should be conducted to validate these results.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2018

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of mindfulness-based interventions, such as the MindUP curriculum and Exercises of Practical Life, on primary and elementary aged students’ self-regulation skills. This study consisted of a sample size of 38 students from three different Montessori environments. The data was collected over a period of four weeks using a pre and post parent assessment, observational field notes and tally sheets, and a behavioral student self-assessment tool. Results show a connection between the mindfulness interventions implemented and the children’s ability to self-regulate their behaviors and emotions. The data shows positive effects on student self-regulatory skills and it can be integrated into the classroom to facilitate student academic achievement. Our recommendation for future research is to allow for more time to conduct the study.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2019

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this action research was to determine the effects of trauma-informed strategies on self-regulation and sense of belonging in elementary students. The research took place over a six-week period in an upper elementary classroom in a public Montessori school in the MidAtlantic. The population included 20 students ages 9-11. The intervention utilized traumainformed strategies such as mindfulness, yoga, community building, a calm box, and solo time. Data was collected through daily observations, a daily log, pre- and post-intervention questionnaires, and student journals. The repertoire of interventions proved to be beneficial in positively affecting self-regulation among students. Some positive effects were seen on student sense of belonging, particularly in terms of teacher-student relationships, laying the groundwork for continued growth in this area. The success in establishing positive connections and building self-regulation points to the usefulness of this research as initial steps in applying traumainformed strategies in the classroom. Continued research is needed to determine the effectiveness of further applications of trauma-informed strategies in additional domains, such as academic achievement, social-emotional learning, agency and empowerment, and restorative discipline.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2019

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this action research project was to explore how the implementation of bucket filling could affect self-regulation in 5-year-olds in a Montessori classroom. The bucket filling theme is character education children’s literature. The collection of data for this action research utilized a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative, including the pre- and post-Preschool Self-Regulation Assessment, daily observation reflections, and tally sheets of behaviors. The data collected and analyzed in this study use of bucket filling can have some effect on self-regulation skills in 5-year-olds in a Montessori classroom. Self-regulation is essential to success in the classroom and in the world at large, any intervention that supports self-regulation is vital for students and teachers.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2019