Abstract/Notes: The concept of domesticity plays out in early childhood educational settings and has a long tradition. Domesticity in its pre-domestic, domestic and post-domestic phases is used here as a site for reconsidering the role of Maria Montessori. The ideas put forward here are intended as a provocation and methodologically the device of constructing an assemblage of materials from various sources is used to enable different ideas to be brought forward. New possibilities emerged through a diffractive approach to this theoretically driven work. The ambiguities Montessori embodied in her life are revisited and by looking at her focus on the materials of ‘practical life’ a way to be intra-activelyengaged with regenerative forces became possible. Repositioning Maria Montessori as ‘domestic goddess’ tangles with contemporary ideas in order to unsettle her image. This analysis draws on new feminist materialist theoryto question what being domestic/ate/d means in terms of being a woman in a femin/ised/ist educational space.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/09540253.2017.1396293

ISSN: 0954-0253

Abstract/Notes: The paper presents two Italian approaches to early childhood education: the Montessori method and the Reggio Emilia approach. Although they emerged in different historical periods and socio-political realities, these two approaches have a lot in common with regard to values like love and respect for children and their developmental rights. Moreover, they share a belief in the potential and boundless resources of the child as well as shifting the emphasis from a teacher’s activity to that of the child. In comparison to the Montessori method, the Reggio Emilia approach strongly highlights the importance of relations and interactions in the children’s learning process. Group work, which has been one of the fundamentals of the Reggio Emilia approach from the very beginning, is the main difference between these two approaches. The article presents the background of each pedagogical idea (the Montessori method – the beginning of 20th century, Reggio Emilia – the 1950s). The description of the ideas is based on such aspects as the image of a child, the image of a teacher and the role of environment in education. In the article, the authors refer mainly to the thoughts of Montessori, the creator of her own method, and Loris Malaguzzi, who was the leader of the educational experience in Reggio Emilia. / Szkic ten przybliża dwie włoskie koncepcje wychowania i edukacji dziecka w wieku przedszkolnym: metodę Montessori i podejście Reggio Emilia. Choć powstawały one w odrębnych okresach historycznych i realiach polityczno-społecznych, w odniesieniu do wartości, takich jak miłość i szacunek do dziecka czy respektowanie jego praw rozwojowych, obydwie koncepcje mają wiele wspólnego. Tym, co je łączy, jest wiara w potencjał i nieograniczone zasoby dziecka, a także przeniesienie akcentu z aktywności nauczyciela w stronę aktywności dziecka. W odniesieniu do metody Montessori, w podejściu Reggio Emilia silniej uwypuklony jest aspekt relacji i interakcji w dziecięcym procesie uczenia. Wspólnotowy wymiar, będący od początku istnienia przedszkoli Reggio Emilia podstawą ich funkcjonowania, jest jedną z najistotniejszych różnic pomiędzy zaprezentowanymi podejściami, i w związku z tym odmiennymi rozwiązaniami edukacyjnymi. W artykule przedstawiono podłoże powstania koncepcji M. Montessori (początek XX w.) i podejścia Reggio Emilia (lata 50. XX w.). W obydwu systemach zaprezentowano wizję dziecka i nauczyciela oraz istotę środowiska wychowawczo-edukacyjnego tworzonego dla dzieci w przestrzeni instytucjonalnej. Założeniem autorek tekstu było przywołanie myśli, rozważań i refleksji twórców oryginalnych włoskich teorii pedagogicznych.

Language: Polish

DOI: 10.14632/eetp.2017.13.47.121

ISSN: 1896-2327, 2353-7787

Abstract/Notes: The aim of this study was to examine the researches on the Montessori method in the field of early childhood education in Turkey and to analyze the studies conducted until April 2020, without any starting date limitation, according to the study group, the pattern, the year of publication, the data collection tools used, the purposes and the subjects studied. 22 articles were analyzed within the scope of the research. There are 15 articles using quantitative research method, 6 articles using qualitative research method and 1 article using mixed research method in the analyzed studies. The samples of the studies were grouped under four headings as child, teacher, teacher candidate and family. It was observed that 16 out of 22 articles examined in the study used a scale or test whose validity and reliability were made, an interview form in 5 studies and an observation report in one study. Most of the studies conducted as quantitative researches and the used scales have shown that the studies are result-oriented not process-oriented. In the study, it was observed that the studies on the Montessori approach were more in 2019 (n = 7) and 2016 (n = 6) compared to other years. Research results showed that researches focus more on visual perception and cognitive development. Studies can be made on all areas of child development rather than focusing on a few areas, and the Montessori approach applied in Turkey can be evaluated with a general view. It is expected that this research will contribute to the determination of the gaps in the field related to the Montessori method.

Language: English

DOI: 10.14812/cuefd.873573

ISSN: 1302-9967

Abstract/Notes: The following article reflects on past theories and practices that still influence early childhood development and education today. The critical thoughts on how young children should be raised and educated by individuals such as John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Johann Pestalozzi, William Froebel, John Dewey and Maria Montessori and others are shared and discussed. Specific attention is given to their theories and practices relating to the following: the nature of children, how children come to learn, school curriculum, and instructional materials. The article concludes with an epilogue of influences which summarizes major influences of the past that still have relevance to programs for young children today. Some influences cited include: significance of proper care for the unborn, importance of exploration and play, involvement in self-directed activity, the family role in the education of the child, direct instruction should be second to real life experiences, and instructional materials should be designed with purpose.

Language: English

ISSN: 0013-1172

Abstract/Notes: Research Findings: This paper presents findings from an exploratory study to define associations between social–emotional teaching practices and teacher characteristics through a person-centered approach. The sample consisted of 97 teachers working in center-based early childhood education settings with young children ages 2–5 in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. We analyzed teachers’ observed classroom social–emotional teaching practices and self-reported Professional Development (PD) experiences, job attitudes (e.g., job-related stress, satisfaction, and commitment), and disciplinary efficacy to identify profile membership of teachers. A latent profile analysis revealed 4 profiles: (a) higher practice quality, higher PD experience, higher job attitudes, and higher disciplinary efficacy, (b) higher practice quality, mixed PD experience, lower job attitudes, and lower disciplinary efficacy, (c) lower practice quality, mixed PD experience, higher job attitudes, and higher disciplinary efficacy, and (d) lower practice quality, mixed PD experience, mixed job attitudes, and lower disciplinary efficacy. Practice or Policy: The results suggest that a person-centered approach to understanding classroom quality might provide multiple dimensions to consider for quality improvement. Additionally, a tailored and tiered professional development approach to support the early childhood workforce is needed that considers the complex connections between teachers’ practices, beliefs, and job attitudes.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/10409289.2020.1857215

ISSN: 1040-9289, 1556-6935

Abstract/Notes: This study tested the hypothesis that curriculum type (Montessori and constructivist) moderates the impact of temperament (specifically activity level and attention-persistence) on the classroom behavior of 3- to 5-year-old children. Mothers enrolled in Montessori and constructivist preschools filled out the Colorado Childhood Temperament Inventory. The children’s teachers filled out the Preschool Behavior Questionnaire and the Preschool Adjustment Questionnaire. A near-significant trend suggested that temperamentally active boys were more likely to be perceived by their teachers as having behavior problems if they were enrolled in Montessori programs than if they were enrolled in constructivist programs. There was no such trend for girls. There was no evidence that temperamental attention span persistence moderated the impact of curriculum type on either boys’ or girls’ behavior. The findings thus give modest support to the notion that parents should be advised to select constructivist early childhood programs especially for boys who are temperamentally predisposed to be highly modifying their teaching practices to better accommodate the needs of these children active. In addition, directors and teachers in Montessori programs may consider

Language: English

DOI: 10.1207/s15566935eed1102_3

ISSN: 1040-9289, 1556-6935

Abstract/Notes: Assessments provide teachers with essential information regarding children’s learning. Alternative education systems offer insight into ways that assessments can be redesigned to be developmentally appropriate to particular ages, including unique stances on what defines assessment, who should assess, and what should be assessed. We examined themes of early childhood assessment through a review of Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Waldorf (also called Steiner). Each of these three alternative systems emphasize assessments designed to understand every child’s learning as unique. Many of the practices used align with the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) current recommendations regarding developmentally appropriate assessment. There is a clear acknowledgement that engagement, not just specific knowledge, is particularly important to assess. To assess engagement, classrooms must be carefully constructed learning environments that implement individualized assessment techniques, such as observation. As children engage in developmentally appropriate experiences, teachers assess their individual learning patterns. Specific components of each system contribute to effective and informative assessment, for example collected artifacts and documentation from children’s work (Reggio), activities and materials designed to show children when an error is made (Montessori), and participation in classic stories (Waldorf). The increased focus these systems place on assessing during interactive learning experiences answered NAEYC’s current recommendations regarding assessment as well as on-going calls in education reform for a child-centered approach to learning.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1007/s10643-022-01353-y

ISSN: 1082-3301, 1573-1707

Abstract/Notes: Although children’s physical environments play an important role in their development, there have been few empirical studies on the interior design of early childhood centres. This is partly due to a lack of adequate methods and instruments for the systematic spatial investigation of educational environments. In light of this, the following paper presents a qualitative method for such systematic investigation, which we shall call visual environment analysis. It also presents the results of the application of this method to ten early childhood centre environments, which can be ranged between the two extremes of restraint and expressiveness. The analysis shows that early childhood centre environments may be shaped by partly conflicting aims, such as giving children as much freedom as possible on the one hand and providing them with a stimulating atmosphere on the other. The paper therefore discusses both visual environment analysis as a method and, in applying this method, the interior design of a number of educational environments.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1007/s10643-018-0914-x

ISSN: 1082-3301, 1573-1707

Abstract/Notes: Zusammenfassung: Jungen mit Fragilem-X-Syndrom weisen im Schul- und Jugendalter charakteristische Merkmale des körperlichen Erscheinungsbildes, der Entwicklung und des Verhaltens auf. Es werden vorläufige Beobachtungen an zehn Jungen im frühen Kindesalter mitgeteilt. Im Vergleich zu den Befunden bei älteren Kindern sind schwere kognitive Behinderungen und kommunikative Auffälligkeiten seltener. Im Spielverhalten in einer Montessori-Übungssituation zeigen Jungen mit dieser genetischen Besonderheit sehr wohl die Fähigkeit zu gezieltem und kooperativem Spiel, aber weniger Ausdauer und Selbstorganisation bei zielgerichteten Tätigkeiten. Die Unterschiede sind signifikant im Vergleich zu nicht-behinderten Kindern bzw. Kindern gleichen Behinderungsgrades, aber anderer Behinderungsursache und als Merkmale des Verhaltensphänotyps bei Jungen mit fragilem-X-Syndrom zu verstehen. [Summary:Boys with Fragile X syndrome show characteristic features of physical appearance, development and behavior in school and adolescence. Preliminary observations on ten boys in early childhood are reported. Compared to the findings in older children, severe cognitive disabilities and communicative abnormalities are less common. In play behavior in a Montessori exercise situation, boys with this genetic peculiarity do show the ability for targeted and cooperative play, but less perseverance and self-organization in targeted activities. The differences are significant compared to non-disabled children or children of the same degree of disability, Play and communicative behavior in young boys with fragile-X syndrome Summary: Reports on development and behavior in boys with fragile-X syndrome support the idea of ​​a characteristic behavioral phenotype in this special population. Preliminary results are presented for 10 boys with fragile-X syndrome in early childhood. Severe mental handicaps and communicative abnormalities are observed less frequently than was expected on the basis of results reported for school-age children or adults. Boys with fragile-X syndrome show goal-directed and cooperative play behaviors in a Montessori play session, but less persistence and organization than children with normal development or a mental handicap of heterogeneous origin. Results confirmed these behavioral differences as characteristic aspects of a "behavioral phenotype" in children who already in early childhood have fragile-X syndrome.]

Language: German

DOI: 10.1024//1422-4917.27.3.175

ISSN: 1422-4917

Abstract/Notes: Early childhood (EC) is the right period to start emphasizing on teaching young children about diversity, equity and inclusion. The new vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2030 target to boost educational system through continuous invest in and teachers' education and professional training focused on integrating multicultural education into the curricula. The current study dealt with two main dimensions: The first dimension revealed the different curricula, teaching strategies, and assessment of children's learning in kindergartens in the public and private sectors. The second dimension focused on investigating how these applied curricula take into account the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion for children from different cultural backgrounds. The current study used the descriptive analytical approach through the application of the questionnaire, which targeted a number of government and private kindergartens in various major cities in the Kingdom. The results revealed the interest of private kindergartens in applying modern and diverse curricula in terms of teaching and assessment strategies and in terms of respect for diversity, equity and inclusion for all children, which meets their different needs. Teachers in private kindergartens expressed their confidence and competence to teach children from different cultures, and that the applied curricula ensure respect for their cultural backgrounds in terms of teaching methods that are free of racism in any form. Continuous professional training and the employment of teachers from different cultures contributed to raising the cultural awareness of children in private kindergartens compared to government ones. The current study recommended decision-makers to update the curricula in government kindergartens in line with the global trend towards integrating children from different cultures and backgrounds in the classroom.

Language: English

ISSN: 0827-3383, 1917-7844