Abstract/Notes: A brief commentary prepared by Treavor Bogard, PhD, Assistant Professor, Teacher Education, on the following work: Maria Montessori Il metodo della pedagogia scientifica applicato all'educazione infantile nelle Case dei Bambini (The Montessori Method: Scientific Pedagogy as Applied to Child Education in “the Children's Houses”)1909; first edition.

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: Froebel and Montessori are compared in their approaches for teaching preschool children the concept of number, numerical calculation, vulgar fraction and geometrical concepts. Froebel's approach is largely metaphysical whereas Montessori's is largely sensorial. But their approaches are not diametrically opposed to each other but rather cmoplementary to each other from the educational view point. Their different claims or views should be closely studied and objectively evaluated through various experiments, before any of them are seriously incorporated in our educational practices.

Language: Korean

Language: English

ISSN: 0889-5643

Language: Italian

Published: Firenze: Giunti-Bemporad Marzocco, 1970

Language: German

Published: Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany: Herder, 1979

ISBN: 3-451-18295-5

Language: French

ISSN: 0304-3118, 1564-0574

Abstract/Notes: The Montessori method is a comprehensive, child-centered, developmentalist philosophy of education developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in Rome, Italy, in the early 1900s. The Montessori method differs from traditional approaches to education, and has had limited exposure in the U.S. until the last 20 years. Despite this growth, little research data exists on the effectiveness of the method or of parent understanding of the method. This research project attempted to determine parent understanding of the Montessori method of education at three Montessori schools in Massachusetts that educate children from toddlers to grade 8. The objective of the research was to design, implement, and analyze a survey that measured parent understanding of the Montessori principles and classroom practices. The survey was developed using the Montessori principles as the foundation. The goal was to determine both the extent of parent understanding of the Montessori principles and parent perception of how these principles are carried out in the Montessori classroom. Parents and guardians were asked a total of 10 questions, 7 of which were five-point Likert scales. The quantitative questions specifically addressed the six Montessori principles and were designed to test parents’ overall understanding of each principle. Responses ranged from a principle being not at all important to very important. The qualitative portion of the survey instrument utilized three open-ended, self-completed questions designed to reveal a range of parent perceptions about Montessori education and classroom practices. The surveys revealed that parent values and thinking do line up with some aspects of the Montessori method and philosophy. The surveys also revealed that parents seem to value classroom practices contrary to the founding principles. What parents value and what parents think about regarding concepts such as goal setting, achievement, competition with peers, and teachers preparing and presenting lessons is in direct contrast with some of the Montessori founding principles and intentions. If Montessori schools wish to remain viable, they will need to reconcile the Montessori principles with conflicting parent values and, further, determine how to better align their principles with parent views and desires for their children.

Language: English

Published: Malibu, California, 2015

Language: English

Language: English

Language: Korean

Published: Seoul, South Korea, 2000