Language: English

ISSN: 0028-7571

Abstract/Notes: The Day 1 Academies Fund aims to support a network of high-quality, full-scholarship, Montessori-inspired preschools in underserved communities. To provide insight into the fund's pedagogical inspiration, in this report I provide a high-level overview of the Montessori preschool landscape in the United States. This overview includes 5 key programmatic elements of a traditional Montessori approach to teaching and learning in classrooms serving preschool-aged children, the reported availability of Montessori programs that enroll 3- and 4-year-old children, and what is known about enrollees' demographics. To situate this information in the larger, publicly financed, early education policy context, I also provide similar data for state-funded pre-K and federally funded Head Start programs for preschoolers. In addition, I review research on children's outcomes after participating in U.S.-based Montessori preschool and elementary programs. This overview provides some context for understanding how the Day 1 Academies Fund eventually defines the constructs of high quality, Montessori inspired, and underserved. This review also suggests it could be useful for the Fund's stakeholders to undertake short-term research examining the current early education options of families with low incomes living in low-access-to-Montessori states as well as long-term research aimed at expanding the research base on the effects of Montessori programs aimed at preschoolers.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1002/ets2.12252

ISSN: 2330-8516

Abstract/Notes: This article is about the Montessori program and its advantages and disadvantages, and general information about this program is covered in detail in this article. The essence of this program is self-education of the child. The history and importance of Montessori today is also covered in this article.

Language: English

ISSN: 2835-396X

Abstract/Notes: South African studies based on school readiness found that most children who commence formal schooling (from Grade 1) lack the basic skills needed to adapt within the learning environment – these include having challenges to follow instructions, work autonomously or focus on a task. The national guideline for teaching children between birth to 9 years does not specify how early childhood education programmes can facilitate or strengthen executive function (EF) skills through structured play. Structured play, can be understood as play activities that require guidance and instructions for completion. During the activities, the participants have to follow instructions in order to attain the outcome. Hence, there is a need to explore how EF skills can be developed through structured play. From our understanding, EF is an individual’s cognitive ability to regulate thoughts and actions needed to complete a task. Executive function skills assist learners to adjust and work effectively later (Grade 1) in a formal learning environment to perform academically. The study was conducted at preschool sites that follow different educational approaches. They are Montessori, National Curriculum Framework (NCF), Reggio Emilia and Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA) preschools. The preschools are situated in affluent suburbs of Pretoria, Gauteng. In this article, learners refer to children aged 4 years in the Grade RRR class. A qualitative multiple case study design was utilised. We interacted with two teachers from four schools who followed different educational approaches. The data collection techniques included individual semi-structured interviews, lesson observation and document analysis, whilst photographs and field notes were taken when the teacher-participants interacted with learners during a planned learning experience. The generated data sets were inductively analysed and interpreted using the theoretical frameworks of sociocultural theory and metacognition. The interpreted data sets revealed that the preschool teacher-participants can facilitate EF using games, songs, movement exercises or racing competitions. The participants explained that indoor, outdoor and learning experiences facilitated EF skills such as self-regulation, working memory and cognitive flexibility during structured play. There is a need for preschool teachers to identify EF in the curriculum and know how to link and intentionally include the skills in daily learning experiences. This will ensure learners acquire EF and apply it in formal learning environments. The contribution to the body of scholarship is the development of guidelines for teachers to intentionally and explicitly develop EF skills using structured play. We confer that teachers play a role in enabling fun, engaging and hands-on activities that promote the acquisition of EF in the early years.

Language: English

DOI: 10.4102/sajce.v12i1.1141

ISSN: 2223-7682

Abstract/Notes: We explore the use of video and photo elicitation in a research study undertaken to understand the way in which preschool teachers perceive and construct their provision of children’s educational experiences. We explore the value of visually elicited interviews based on video footage and photographs captured during teaching and learning in four classrooms in two preschool settings in Kenya. Through visually elicited interviews, both the teachers and the researcher constructed meaningful conversations (interviews) to explore preschool teachers’ practical experiences and their beliefs, understanding and interpretation of developmentally appropriate educational practices. This paper targets the possible value of and contribution made by visual data generation procedures, as well as their inherent challenges, in order to add to the body of knowledge on visually elicited interviews.

Language: English

DOI: 10.15700/saje.v32n4a661

ISSN: 2076-3433

Abstract/Notes: Pre-school education is important in terms of children's acquisition of social rules and rearing them as socialized individuals. However, it seems that there are limited studies regarding the issue of which pre-school education approach or pre-school education program is more effective on the development of children's perception of social rule. Therefore, with this research it is aimed to study the social rule perceptions of 5-year old children who get education according to three different programs Montessori Approach, Multiple Intelligences Theory-Based Education and Preschool Education Program Implemented by the Ministry of Education *Dependent variable of this experimental study is the social rule perception of 5-year old children while independent variables are three different preschool education programs Montessori approach, education based on multiple intelligences theory, Preschool Education Program implemented by the Ministry of Education with effects on children’s perception of social rule. Total of 62 children participated in this study, including 21 children attending a university kindergarten where Montessori Approach is applied, 19 children attending nursery class within primary school where education based on Multiple Intelligences Theory is implemented within the scope of EU Project called “If there are multiple intelligences there is no unsuccessful child ” and 22 randomly selected children attending an independent kindergarten and nursery class within primary school where Preschool education program of Ministry of Education is implemented. Age of these children showing normal development ranged from 60 to 66 months. "Conception of Moral and Social Rules Scale" that was used to evaluate social rule perception of the children participating in this study, was developed by Smetana 1981 . The scale which consists of 10 conventional pictures showing transgression of moral and social rules, includes two sub-scales. They are: "Conception of Moral Rule" and "Conception of Social Rule" subscales. In this study, only " Conception of Social Rule" sub-scale was used according to the purposes of the research. Conception of Social Rule sub scale consists of 5 pictures showing transgression of social rules. Children were asked 5 questions consecutively for each of these pictures. Each question asked aimed to create data for 5 sub dimensions of the scale. Sub dimensions of the sub scale are; Seriousness in Social Rules, Absence of Authority in Social Rules, Absence of Social Rules, Generalization of Social Rules and Punishment in Social Rules. Conception of Social Rule sub scale of Conception of Moral and Social Rules Scale was applied to the children in working group in a pre-test and post-test form. Pre-test data were collected at the beginning of the academic year, while post-test data were collected at the end of the academic year. No intervention that would affect children’s perception of social rule in a desired direction was made to the education programs of the institutions where different pre-school education programs are implemented. Single-factor ANCOVA was used in order to determine whether social rule perception of the children included in the study differs according to the preschool education program they attend. Bonferroni test was used in cases where ANCOVA was significant. According to the Covariance Analysis results significant difference was found F 2,58 = 7.210, p .05]. Results of Bonferroni test, which was implemented to determine the pre-school education program or programs that cause the significant difference obtained from Seriousness in Social Rules, Absence of authority in Social Rules and Punishment in Social Rules sub-dimensions in accordance with Covariance Analysis, show that Seriousness in Social Rules, Absence of authority in Social Rules and Punishment in Social Rules sub-dimensions scores of the children who receive education according to Montessori approach are significantly higher than the scores of the children who receive education according to the other preschool education programs. In this study which compares social rule conception of the preschool children getting education according to Montessori approach, education program based on the theory of multiple intelligence and pre-school education program implemented by the Ministry of Education; it’s observed that the children who receive education according to Montessori approach had significantly higher scores than the children who receive education according to the other pre-school education programs in Seriousness in Social Rules, Absence of Authority in Social Rules and Punishment in Social Rules sub-dimensions of social rule conception sub scale. This situation indicates that the children receiving education based on Montessori Approach take social rules more serious and their perception regarding importance of obeying the rules even in absence of the authority mother-father, teacher etc. is higher. These children obey the rules not because the authority wants them to do so, but because they comprehend the importance and necessity of acting in accordance with the rules. In other words, the children getting education in Montessori Approach have internalized social rules. The researchers state that children's conception of social rules may develop as they experience the rules and practices of the social system in which they exist Smetana, Schlagman and Adams, 1993; Smetana, 1984 . This means that, Montessori Approach is able to offer this experience to the children in a better way than the other pre-school education programs. Another sub-dimension where difference between the means was statistically significant was Punishment in Social Rules sub dimension. According to these finding obtained, perception of punishment in case of breaking social rules is higher in children getting education according to Montessori Approach than the children getting education in other pre-school education programs. This means the children that receive education according to Montessori Approach are more decisive in necessity of obeying social rules and punishing those who transgress social rules. It was identified that scores regarding Absence of Social Rules and Generalization of Social Rules sub dimensions of Social Rule Conception sub scale did not differ depending on the pre-school education program attended. In other words perception of all the participant children is found to be equivalent to each other regarding the necessity of obeying social rules even if there is no verbally expressed rule and acceptance of social rules in every environment lived in. In any case, pre-school educational institutions provide the best environment for children so that they acquire social rules and understand the importance of these rules. Seçer and Sarı 2006 , who studied moral and social rule conception of the children who attend and who do not attend preschool educational institution, determined that mean score of the children attending pre-school educational institution received from Absence of Authority in Social Rules, Generalization of Social Rules and Absence of Social Rules sub dimensions is significantly higher than those who do not attend pre-school educational institution. / Bu çalışmada, üç farklıprograma Montessori Yaklaşımı, Çoklu Zekâ Kuramına DayalıEğitim ve Milli Eğitim BakanlığıTarafından Uygulanan Okul Öncesi Eğitim Programı göre eğitim alan okul öncesi çocukların sosyal kural algılarıincelenmiştir. Normal gelişim gösteren ve yaşları60 ile 66 ay arasında değişen toplam 62 çocuk çalışmaya katılmıştır. Çocukların 21 tanesi Montessori Yaklaşımına göre, 19 tanesi Çoklu Zekâ Kuramına göre, 22 tanesi ise Milli Eğitim Bakanlığıtarafından halıhazırda uygulanan okul öncesi eğitim programına göre bir eğitim-öğretim yılıboyunca okul öncesi eğitim almışlardır. Deneysel bir çalışma olan bu araştırma da ön-test ve son-test verileri, Smetana 1981 tarafından geliştirilen Ahlaki ve Sosyal Kural AlgısıÖlçeği’nin Sosyal Kural Algısıalt ölçeği kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Araştırmada elde edilen verilerin analizinde betimsel istatistiklerin yanısıra, araştırmanın amaçlarınıtest etmek amacıyla, ANCOVA, ANCOVA’nın anlamlıolduğu durumlarda Bonferroni Testi kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda çocukların Sosyal Kural Algısıalt ölçeğinin Sosyal Kurallarda Ciddiyet, Sosyal Kurallarda Otoritenin Yokluğu ve Sosyal Kurallarda Ceza alt boyutlarına ait puanların çocukların eğitim aldığıokul öncesi eğitim programına göre değiştiği saptanmıştır. Bonferroni çoklu karşılaştırma sonuçları, farklılığın Montessori Yaklaşımı’na göre eğitim alan grubun lehine olduğunu göstermiştir. Sosyal Kuralların Yokluğu ve Sosyal KurallarıGenelleme alt boyutlarına ait puanların ise çocukların eğitim aldığıokul öncesi eğitim programına göre anlamlıbir şekilde farklılaşmadığıtespit edilmiştir.

Language: Turkish

ISSN: 1302-1796, 2667-4750

Abstract/Notes: The Montessorian proposal for childhood education appears highly modern and relevant in relation to the development of both motor skills and cognitive functions (Shivji, 2016;), strongly supported by neurosciences’ embodied theories (Roessingh, H. & Bence, M. 2018)), and the increasing wellbeing problem related to childhood (Pate et al, 2014; Ross, 2012). This review analyses Maria Montessori’s modern educational vision, in light of the emerging needs of today’s children. The contribution reviews existing literature focusing on body and movement, but connected with cognitive, emotional and well-being aspects, which are critical in preschool education, both for educators/teachers (Atli, 2016; Akkerman, 2014; Lillard, 2011), and for school reform policies (Lillard, 2019).

Language: English

DOI: 10.6092/issn.1970-2221/12195

ISSN: 1970-2221

Abstract/Notes: Largement dominant à l’école maternelle depuis des décennies, le dispositif des « ateliers » est depuis peu concurrencé par des « plages d’activités montessoriennes ». Pour certains enseignants, elles permettraient une meilleure prise en compte de la diversité des élèves. Nous avons comparé ces deux types de dispositifs en observant spécifiquement l’activité et les apprentissages des élèves plus faibles, le plus souvent issus des milieux populaires. Malgré leurs différences, il n’est pas rare que ces dispositifs présupposent tous deux une grande autonomie des élèves, alors même que l’écart est grand entre cette autonomie postulée et l’« autonomie » réelle, en particulier pour les plus faibles. Nous cherchons à comprendre en quoi et pourquoi les étayages enseignants manquent pour ces élèves, tout en étant également attentif à certaines variations qui pourraient s’avérer plus favorables aux moins bien dotés scolairement par leur milieu d’origine. Cet article met donc en lien pédagogie et sociologie (sociologies des inégalités socio-scolaire et de la socialisation), non sans réactiver aussi la question du caractère différenciateur ou non des pédagogies alternatives. [Dominant in French preschools for decades, the “atelier” system has recently faced competition from “Montessorian activities”. For some teachers, these activities would allow them to make better provision for the diversity of their pupils. We compared these two types of strategies by specifically observing the activities and learning of weaker pupils, most of whom come from working-class backgrounds. Despite their differences, it is not uncommon for both of these strategies to involve considerable pupil autonomy, even though there is a big difference between this postulated autonomy and real “autonomy”, particularly where the weakest pupils are concerned. We endeavour to ascertain how and why there is a lack of teacher support for these pupils, while also being mindful of certain variations which could potentially be of more benefit to those who are less well provided for in school due to their background. This article therefore links pedagogy and sociology (sociology of socio-educational inequalities and sociology of socialisation), and also rekindles the question of whether alternative pedagogies have a differentiating effect or not.]

Language: French

DOI: 10.4000/rfp.9296

ISSN: 0556-7807

Abstract/Notes: Incluso si el método Montessori no fue concebido originalmente para la enseñanza de lenguas extranjeras, consideramos que sus principios universales de formación de los niños y las niñas pueden ser aplicados igualmente para la clase de francés como lengua extranjera. El objetivo de la investigación fue iniciar a los niños y las niñas no lectores de dos grupos de preescolar de la Escuela Saint Benedict en la comprensión del cuento “Petit chat perdu” a través de los principios montessorianos. En cuanto a la metodología, se optó por una perspectiva cualitativa. Se utilizaron dos instrumentos: la entrevista y las observaciones de participantes y no participantes. Para la recolección de los datos se emplearon una tabla de observación y un diario de campo. El punto de partida consistió en extraer aportes útiles de la teoría Montessori para la clase de francés. Posteriormente, se puso en práctica una secuencia pedagógica que favorece la comprensión oral con actividades variadas inspiradas en la pedagogía respetando al mismo tiempo los principios de la teoría. Por último, se analizaron las ventajas e inconvenientes de dicha adaptación para iniciar a niñas y niños no lectores en el aprendizaje del francés como lengua extranjera. [Even if the Montessori method was not originally conceived for the teaching of foreign languages, we consider that its universal principles of training boys and girls can be applied equally to French as a foreign language class. The objective of the research was to initiate the non-readers of two preschool groups of the Saint Benedict School in the understanding of the story “Petit chat perdu” through the Montessorian principles. Regarding the methodology, a qualitative perspective was chosen. Two instruments were used: the interview and the observations of participants and non-participants. For data collection, an observation table and a field diary were used. The starting point was to extract useful contributions from Montessori theory for the French class. Subsequently, a pedagogical sequence that favors oral comprehension was put into practice with varied activities inspired by pedagogy while respecting the principles of theory. Lastly, the advantages and disadvantages of this adaptation were analyzed to initiate non-reader girls and boys in learning French as a foreign language.]

Language: Spanish

DOI: 10.15517/rlm.v0i33.38307

ISSN: 2215-5643, 1659-1933

Abstract/Notes: This study examined the effects of the Montessori Method on preschool children's readiness to primary education. The research group is composed of five-six year olds attending SU MEF Ihsan Dogramaci Application Nursery School in 2009-2010 school year in Selcuklu county of Konya. The participants composed of five-six year olds were unbiasedly chosen. A total of 50 children were included in the study, 25 being in the experimental group and 25 being in the control group. In the study, Metropolitan Readiness Test was used to determine preschool school children's school readiness levels, B form of PKBS Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scale was used to determine preschool children's social skills, FTF-K attention gathering skills test for five-year old children was used to determine preschool children's attention gathering skills. The tests were administered to children before and after experimentation, and it was applied to experimental group again six weeks later. Mann Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to analyze the data. The general conclusion of the results obtained is that The Montessori Method makes positive contribution to preschool children's readiness to primary school and is more efficient than current preschool education program.

Language: English

ISSN: 1303-0485