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34 results

Doctoral Dissertation

Knowledge and attitudes of Montessori teachers of young children as a context for guiding normalization and self-construction process

Available from: ProQuest - Dissertations and Theses

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Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this study was (1) to investigate the degree of agreement between AMI trained Montessori teachers' knowledge and attitudes and Montessori's recommendations for guiding the process of normalization among young children and (2) to discover the reasons for differences from those recommendations. Normalization is the central process in the Montessori method. Except for a study by this investigator (Zener, 1993) guiding the process of normalization had not been researched since Montessori's work some forty-five to eighty-five years ago. Therefore, this investigation also provided current teacher experiences of guiding the process of normalization. One hundred sixty five Montessori teachers attending various regional and national conferences were surveyed with knowledge and attitude scales. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10% of the participants. Mean scale scores from 4.0 to 5.0 on a five degree Likert scale and a SD less than 1.0 were projected as satisfactory levels of agreement with Montessori's recommendations. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the scales, and content analysis was used to analyze the interviews. T-tests and ANOVAS indicated that demographic variables were not significant to the results. The study concluded that AMI trained Montessori teachers reflected a satisfactory degree of agreement with the recommended knowledge and attitudes (M = 4.25, SD =.31 and M = 4.50, SD =.34 respectively). Knowledge and attitude correlated (p $<$.01). Reasons for differences among teachers' knowledge and attitudes about guiding the process included using other aspects of Montessori theory, disagreement with Montessori, difficulty in carrying out the theory in practice, misinterpretations of scale items, and misunderstandings about Montessori's recommendations for guiding the process of normalization. Implications for children, teachers, parents, school administration, and teacher education included validation of teachers for the high level of consistency in their reflections on guiding the process of normalization. Recommendations for future research included developing a more complete theoretical understanding of the process of normalization, particularly the importance of respecting children's spans of concentration.

Language: English

Published: College Park, Maryland, 1994

Master's Thesis (Action Research Report)

Beneficial Effects of Practical Life Activities and Normalization

Available from: St. Catherine University

Action research

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Abstract/Notes: This action research project investigated the effects on involving children in the practical life curriculum on normalization in the Montessori toddler and primary classrooms. 30 students, their parents and 7 teachers were participants. 12 students and their parents were from a toddler classroom and 18 from two separate primary classrooms. Data was collected pre and post study via questionnaires on the parents’ goals for their children. Many of the goals listed such as socialization skills, independence and emotional stability can be met through engaging the child in practical life activities and as the child meets these goals should normalize. A behavior log, daily plan sheet log and journaling tracked what materials children used or were offered for the purpose of tracking components of normalization such as self-regulation, confidence, independence and socialization. Analysis of the data showed that when a child was directed to a practical life activity he was more likely to choose a second activity on his own and continue to move through cycles of work independently. When a child could not be directed to an activity, practical life or otherwise, observing the environment with an adult was beneficial in assisting the child in the process of normalization.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2016

Master's Thesis (Action Research Report)

The Impact of Grace and Courtesy Instruction and Modeling on the Normalization of a Montessori Primary Classroom

Available from: St. Catherine University

Action research

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Abstract/Notes: This action research studied the effect of instructing and modeling grace and courtesy lessons on the normalization of a primary Montessori classroom. The study was conducted at a private, in-home Montessori classroom serving children three to six years of age. Nine students received daily presentations of grace and courtesy lessons over four weeks totaling twenty lessons in all. Sources of data included student-teacher conferencing, tally sheets, behavioral self-assessments, and teacher journaling. Instructing and modeling grace and courtesy lessons resulted in an increase in desired behaviors, a more positive classroom environment, and additional knowledge gained on this subject. Throughout this study, students began showing signs of normalization and required less assistance from the teacher. The lessons of grace and courtesy can positively impact the learning environment and lead to the normalization of a Montessori primary classroom.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2018

Article

Guiding the Process of Normalization

Publication: Communications: Journal of the Association Montessori Internationale (2009-2012), vol. 2010, no. 1

Pages: 39–50

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Abstract/Notes: Montessori saw two major processes that appear opposites in children's development. The process of normalization was considered the 'most important single result of our whole work'. It occurs when love of work, concentration, self-discipline, and sociability all appear. The other process, deviations in development, results from obstacles in the developmental process and occurs frequently in normal children. Dr Zener interviewed 165 Montessori teachers and tabulated in how far and what way the interviewees followed Montessori's recommendations on how best to approach and deal with deviations. Her statistics extrapolating theoretical questions with the current practice have been combined in a refreshing and illuminating article.

Language: English

ISSN: 1877-539X

Article

Classroom Management–The Path to Normalization

Publication: Forza Vitale!, vol. 17, no. 3

Pages: 8–12

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Abstract/Notes: Presented at AMI/USA national conference, Belleview, WA, July 1996

Language: English

Book

Kindheit bei Maria Montessori und Ellen Key - Disziplinierung und Normalisierung [Childhood with Maria Montessori and Ellen Key - Discipline and Normalization]

Ellen Key - Biographic sources, Ellen Key - Philosophy, Maria Montessori - Biographic sources, Maria Montessori - Philosophy

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Abstract/Notes: Reformpädagogik gilt bis heute als »magische Größe«. Ihre Anhänger verzaubert sie mit der eingängigen Formel: Nicht nur »naturgemäß« soll Erziehung sein, sondern auch wertschätzend, praxisnah und individuell. So verspricht sie Heilung (von falscher Pädagogik) und argumentiert scheinheilig: Sowohl »begradigen« als auch »überwinden« sind unverzichtbare Bestandteile ihres Kanons pädagogischer Leitbegriffe. Die Kindheitskonzepte von Maria Montessori und Ellen Key werden besonders dafür geschätzt, dass sie das »Leben« feiern. Dabei argumentieren sie mitunter allerdings wenig lebensbejahend. Besonders augenfällig ist, dass sie vor allem gesunde, normale und folgsame Kinder besonders wertschätzen. Der ideale Nachwuchs soll sowohl folgsam als auch unauffällig sein: Nicht jedes Kind ist aus sich heraus wertvoll. Daher appellieren sie an künftige Eltern, möglichst nur den richtigen Erbanlagen ins Leben zu verhelfen (was nicht zwangsläufig die eigenen sind). Überhaupt haben beide sehr konkrete Vorstellungen davon, wie Kinder sein müssen... und was passieren könnte, wenn sie nicht sind, wie sie sein sollen. [Reform pedagogy is still considered a »magic factor« today. She enchants her followers with the catchy formula: Education should not only be »natural«, but also appreciative, practical and individual. So she promises healing (from false pedagogy) and hypocritically argues: Both "straighten" and "overcome" are indispensable components of her canon of pedagogical guiding principles. Maria Montessori and Ellen Key's concepts of childhood are particularly valued for their celebration of "life." Sometimes, however, their arguments are not very life-affirming. What is particularly striking is that they particularly appreciate healthy, normal and obedient children. The ideal offspring should be both obedient and inconspicuous: not every child is valuable in and of itself. They therefore appeal to future parents to only help the right hereditary factors into life (which are not necessarily their own). In general, both have very specific ideas about how children should be... and what could happen if they aren't how they should be.]

Language: German

Published: Paderborn, Germany: Ferdinand Schöningh, 2013

ISBN: 978-3-657-77324-4 3-657-77324-X 978-3-506-77324-1

Article

Montessori as Democratic Education: The Work of Normalization and Valorization

Available from: Montessori Norge

Publication: Montessori Collaborative World Review: The Montessori Roots of Social Justice, vol. 1, no. 1

Pages: 170-177

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Language: English

Article

Reflections: On Normalization

Publication: Montessori Observer, vol. 11, no. 1

Pages: 1

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Language: English

ISSN: 0889-5643

Article

Predicting Montessori Normalization

Available from: University of Connecticut Libraries - American Montessori Society Records

Publication: The Constructive Triangle (1974-1989), vol. 5, no. 1

Pages: 5-12

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Language: English

ISSN: 0010-700X

Article

Normalization: Time for Cultural Sensitivity Check?

Available from: University of Connecticut Libraries - American Montessori Society Records

Publication: Public School Montessorian, vol. 17, no. 4

Pages: 1, 22

Public Montessori

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Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

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