Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Abstract/Notes: Janet Begin's paper is based on the recognition and recent discussion of early childhood education in America. Her research touches on the challenges of implementing Montessori birth-to-six programs at Cornerstone Montessori School, Crossway Community Montessori School, East Dallas Community Schools, and Family Star Montessori School. She examines program start-up, funding, regulations and oversight, staffing, and training in a complete summary that points to the next steps in Montessori advocacy. Based on the facts of each program, she covers common aims and perils and, most important, demonstrates the viability and success of the comprehensive family approaches at these schools.

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Language: English

Published: New York, New York: Anthony Santiago, 1999

Abstract/Notes: The Montessori educational method has seen great success in recent years. The media portrays this method in a very favourable

Language: English

ISSN: 2454-6186

Abstract/Notes: This action research project was created to study the different behaviors (focused and unfocused) that occurred when different types of music were played in the background of an early childhood Montessori classroom. The study took place at a private Montessori school located in the southeastern part of Wisconsin. There was a total of 26 children in the classroom which consisted of grades 3K through Kindergarten, with ages ranging between two and a half to six-years old. Over a six-week period, three different music conditions were implemented (two weeks at a time) into the background of the classroom environment; no music, classical music and Disney music. Focused and unfocused behaviors were observed and documented during each music condition. Quantitative and qualitative data collections were used and then analyzed to determine if music aids or deters a child’s focus. The results of the study showed that music does aid in helping a child focus during the work cycle of an early childhood Montessori classroom; specifically, the three-year olds showed the most increase in focused behavior when music played in the background. The effects of music on independent versus group work was also considered during this action research project as well as how to determine which music to include or avoid when playing music in the background of an early childhood classroom.

Language: English

Published: River Falls, Wisconsin, 2020

Abstract/Notes: This study examined the impact of Montessori training provided to Assistants in authentic Montessori schools that are operating as licensed childcare centers. The study looked at correlations between the implementation of a Montessori specific training program for Assistants and how that impacted the active engagement of the children throughout the morning work cycle. The Lead Teacher in the participating classroom was asked to take a time sampling of the students' engagement levels every 30 minutes during the morning work cycle for a 2 week period of time. This quantitative analysis was completed to determine how many children were wandering, actively engaged, disengaged or actively disengaged in their work. After the data collection period ended, Assistants were given training that focused on the Montessori method and philosophy, classroom management, and feedback/expectations in their role. Post-training, the goal was to conduct another 2 week round of time sampling to analyze if the engagement level of the children increased. However, during the training period, turnover at the participating school increased from 3% to 33%, leaving the researcher unable to fully complete the training before conducting another round of time sampling. Interviews during and after this period of time indicated that the reason for the turnover was due to an inauthentic Montessori classroom feel (55% of respondents) and/or personal reasons (45% of respondents.) With further research, the root causes of the "inauthentic classroom feel" were narrowed down to difficult child behaviors, transitions of children moving from the toddler room to the children's house room, and, overwhelmingly, a lack of Assistant training. While the original research project was unable to be completed due to the staff turnover, the root cause of the turnover pointed to the necessity of implementing an Assistant Training program in the future. Not only would this potentially decrease Teacher and Assistant turnover in the Montessori classroom, but better retention and more highly trained staff would most certainly have a positive impact on child engagement in the classroom.

Language: English

Published: River Falls, Wisconsin, 2019

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this study was to compare the attitudes of preschool children toward their program experiences and school adjustment, in order to ascertain whether differences existed among program type, age, and gender variables. A total of 90 preschool boys and girls 3 to 5 years of age from a church-related program, a Montessori program, and a Head Start program participated in the study. Children were surveyed using a self-report instrument, and teachers rated the children's adjustment to school environments. Results indicated that the attitudes toward program experiences of those children in the church-related program were different from those of children in the Montessori and Head Start programs. Results suggest that, in view of the increased emphasis on early childhood programs and the establishment of numerous preschool programs, such programs for young children should be evaluated from many points of view, including that of the preschool child.

Language: English

Published: [S.I.], 1986

Language: English

Published: Boston, Massachusetts: Allyn and Bacon, 1972

Abstract/Notes: Introduction: Early Childhood Education and development is a start to life and a reliable foundation to continuing education. One of the reasons that early childhood is regarded up to the age of eight is to enable children acquire a smooth understanding of the entire education from the level of play group to pre-primary and from pre-primary to the level of primary. Purpose of the Study: The main purpose of this study is to examine the impact of Montessori teaching methods on the developmental domain of young children in early childhood schools in Lagos state. Methodology: Descriptive survey research design was adopted. Sample size of two (12) schools of 10 pupils each in the selected schools was employed using convenience sampling technique. Validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics which involves measures of central tendency descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage). Results: Findings indicate that there is higher impact of Montessori teaching methods on the literacy skills in early childhood education. Pupils from both Montessori and Non-Montessori schools perform equally better in Numeracy Skills. The impact of conventional method of teaching on reasoning skill is better than that of Montessori Method of teaching. Conclusion: In conclusion, many aspects of Montessori teaching methods positively consider children's developmental needs and should be an integral part of teachers’ working modalities in so-called “non-Montessori teaching methods (conventional public schools)” (such as the possibility for each child to be in multi-age classes; to have an absence of explicit, formal grades, rewards, or punishments; and a low teacher-student ratio). Recommendations: Based on the results of this study, it is therefore recommended that Montessori system of education may be used to improve language skills of children and to understand art of language at early childhood level.

Language: English

DOI: 10.47434/JEREDA.4.1.2023.113

ISSN: 2735-9107

Abstract/Notes: Spirituality is an important dimension of the holistic development of young children, much like autonomy, resilience and responsibility. Unfortunately, it often remains as a forgotten area in early childhood education in many cultures (Zhang, 2012). Many people simply could not articulate the concept of spirituality concretely and some may confuse it with religion. Sokanovic and Muller (1999) pointed out that the definition of the term spirituality has little consensus of opinion throughout society, and has even, in specialised fields such as education, academia and religion sectors, various definitions. To explore the specific meaning of spirituality would be not only meaningful but of great significance for our understanding of the tenet of early childhood education and the national curriculum of New Zealand, Te Whāriki. Furthermore, spirituality is also a frequently discussed topic in many philosophies of early childhood education. For example, spiritual self or inner spirituality is recognised by Froebel and Pestalozzi (Froebel Web, 2014; Bruehlmeier, 2014), while spiritual development is further explored and integrated in teaching practices by Montessori and Steiner (Weinberg, 2009; Ullrich, 1994). Therefore, the task of this article is to try to define the term “spirituality” in the context of early childhood education, and explore spirituality as presented in the work of two early childhood theorists. Later, this article will also critically examine the aspect of spirituality in my own childhood education in China, and in relation to other contexts.

Language: English

ISSN: 1179 - 6812