Abstract/Notes: Teachers of young children work closely with families. One component of teacher-family partnerships is teachers’ understanding of family priorities and stressors. This study examines Montessori early childhood (ages three through six) teacher perceptions of family priorities and stressors through an analysis of responses to two parallel surveys. Eighty teachers (37% of those who received the survey) and forty-nine family members (representing a 55% response rate) completed the survey. Significant differences were found between teachers’ perceptions of four (of seven) family priorities and families’ actual responses. Teachers ranked “making academic progress” as the most important of seven possible family priorities. However, families stated that “developing kindness” is the most important priority for their young children. No significant differences were found when comparing teacher rankings of family stressors with actual family responses. Montessori early childhood teachers ranked “not having enough time” as the most stressful of six possible stressors. Families confirmed that time pressures cause them the most stress. Maria Montessori’s recommendations for teachers and families are summarized. Recommendations for building stronger family partnerships in the context of Montessori’s philosophy, for example on-going self-reflection, are provided.

Language: English

DOI: 10.17161/jomr.v1i1.4939

ISSN: 2378-3923

Abstract/Notes: This piece of practitioner research explored parents’ perceptions of Montessori education in the early years in the UK. Ten qualitative interviews were conducted online using Microsoft Teams and OneNote with parents whose children were aged between 2 and 5 years old (N = 10). Braun and Clarke's Reflexive Thematic Analysis was used to identify three themes: Positive attitudes towards the influence of Montessori on holistic development; Shared understanding of the Montessori ethos, and Influence of parents’ educational experiences on Montessori school choice. Parents valued Montessori's emphasis on independence and adapted their parenting style accordingly. However, financial constraints and limited availability of Montessori schools for primary and secondary education were identified as challenges. The study's limitations included recruitment challenges and a lengthy data analysis process. Future research could investigate how Montessori education supports children with special needs or in mathematical areas of learning.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/03004279.2024.2303234

ISSN: 0300-4279

Abstract/Notes: This article examines the important data on pupils' perceptions of setting and mixed-ability classes in 45 comprehensive schools in England collected by Hallam and Ireson. It is argued that the finding that most pupils prefer setting to mixed-ability classes requires closer scrutiny and more careful interpretation. The conclusion that such preferences are because setting matches pupils' needs to their abilities is not compelling. Pupils' perceptions may be a product of transmitted ideology and wider cultural and organisational factors inside and outside school. Moreover, it is not clear what the implications of Hallam and Ireson's data on mixed-ability classes are for mixed-ability teaching. While, Hallam and Ireson propose more differentiated teaching and learning in mixed-ability classes, this article contends that their data could be interpreted to imply just the opposite. Finally, the implications of their data for the debate about the nature of comprehensive education in Britain are considered.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/01411920802044511

ISSN: 0141-1926, 1469-3518

Abstract/Notes: Teaching at pre-school in Saudi Arabia can involve the use of many types of teaching methods, and the Montessori educational system is one approach that can be used. Over time, this method has gained value and popularity due to its promotion of a self-learning strategy. This current study aims to explore the perceptions of Montessori teachers working in Saudi Arabia about their role in supporting a self-learning strategy for pre-school children. The research sample comprised Montessori teachers working at three schools in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected by undertaking qualitative semi-structured interviews and using an unstructured questionnaire. The interviews was piloted in advanced. The findings show that most of the Saudi pre-school teachers who participated are knowledgeable about teaching the Montessori system in the classroom, and have knowledge of applying the self-learning strategy. However, in practice, their role in supporting children to achieve self-learning is affected by various factors, including: the overall ethos of the Saudi education system, the Ministry of Education’s perceptions about teaching pre-school children using the Montessori system, the teacher’s background and their years of experiences working with pre-school children, and the use of individual education plans for each child.

Language: English

ISSN: 2617-9563

Abstract/Notes: The current international landscape shows that the most common alternative for the continuity of formative learning processes during the coronavirus pandemic has been the use the of e-learning to support children’s learning in environments outside of school. This forced change in teaching methods has consolidated the recognition that the digital skills of teachers are a relevant factor for the sustainability of education, both during the pandemic and in a future post-pandemic period or in other emergencies. In this sense, the objective of this study carried out between May and September 2020 was to determine the perceptions of 427 teachers from 15 countries about their digital competences in working with m-learning in primary education using a Montessori approach. The results of the questionnaire showed that teachers perceive their digital competences as inert and not very effective for innovation compared with the subsistence of traditional pedagogical practices, to deal with unpredictable situations or to generate differentiated adaptations for an inclusive education. The results of this study also serve as empirical support for establishing four training dimensions that can be considered priorities for the construction and implementation of a teacher training model that contributes to the sustainable development of education.

Language: English

DOI: 10.3390/su13010343

ISSN: 2071-1050

Language: English

Published: Chicago, Illinois, 1977

Abstract/Notes: As attrition rates of teachers remain a concern and the establishment of Montessori public schools increases in the United States, studying the needs satisfaction of Montessori public school teachers is a way to address issues of retainment. This qualitative methods study used the Self-Determination Theory framework to guide an analysis of factors that impact the levels of autonomy, relatedness, and competence within a public Montessori school teacher’s work environment. This study gave public Montessori teachers an opportunity to share their stories and provide context to the issue of work satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Findings indicated that there are several factors and experiences that impact a public Montessori school teacher’s experience with autonomy, relatedness, and competence in their daily work. Additional findings are that these factors impact Montessori teachers on different levels: personal, school, and external. In analyzing these factors and level of impact, administrators and school districts can make sure that the work environments of public Montessori teachers are conducive.

Language: English

Published: Lawrence, Kansas, 2023

Language: English

Published: Dayton, Ohio, 1998

Abstract/Notes: This research is entitled English Language Teaching through Montessori Approach: Teachers’ Perceptions. This research aimed at exploring teachers’ perceptions towards the Montessori approach to teaching of English. This study adopted narrative inquiry as a design. Five teachers from five different Montessori schools in Kathmandu were chosen purposively for this study. The study showed that Montessori approach is a learner centered approach through which students' involvement can be increased. Montessori approach comprehends the learning and it was found that Montessori method was the most preferred method of teaching English. This approach also helps to understand the psychology of children so that learning can happen in the classroom. This approach helps to develop creativity in students because of the environment of the classroom created by Montessori teachers. Likewise, this approach is material based which enhances the learning and retention. This thesis consists of five chapters. The first chapter deals with the introduction part including the background of the study, statements of the problem, objectives of the study, research questions, relevance of the study, delimitation of the study, and operational definitions of the key terms respectively. The second chapter consists of a literature review both theoretical and empirical, and its implications. In addition, it also includes the conceptual framework. The third chapter deals with a methodology such as research design, method of the study, population, sampling strategy, research tools, source of data, and data collection procedure as well as ethical considerations. Similarly, the fourth chapter deals with analysis and interpretation of the data, and findings, and results. Finally, the fifth chapter incorporates a conclusion and recommendations based on the study which is related to policy, practice, and further research. Likewise, the references and appendices are also included for the validation of the research at the end of the study.

Language: English

Published: Kirtipur, Nepal, 2023

Abstract/Notes: The linguistic environment of preschools in South Africa is considerably under-researched. In this study, research was undertaken to discover how South African Montessori preschool teachers approach the issue of multilingualism in their classrooms and their perceptions of the value of speaking multiple languages. Teachers working in Montessori schools in Cape Town were interviewed about their experiences and ideologies of multilingualism in the classroom. Data was analysed through a Bakhtinian lens to uncover the tensions surrounding these beliefs and experiences of South African multilingualism. It was found that although many teachers supported the idea of multilingualism, they faced significant practical and administrative barriers to its implementation in the classroom. Furthermore, it was notable that much of the work to teach or introduce additional language in the preschool space was performed by underpaid, undertrained, and under-valued non-teaching staff, such as cleaning staff and classroom assistants.

Language: English

Published: Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2023