Abstract/Notes: The Hartford Early Childhood Program involves more than 4,500 children from 4 years old to first grade level in over 200 classrooms. Classrooms are designed to offer children an environment that encourages them to learn independently. Ideas have been borrowed from the Montessori approach and the British Infant Schools and fitted to the needs of the Hartford school district's urban students. The program philosophy embodies new approaches that can be used in old school buildings such as formal education beginning at 3 years, mixed-age "family" grouping, interest centers, and emphasis on intrinsic motivation toward personel success. Future plans call for extension of the program to all public school classes in grades K through 2. Sources of more detailed information are provided for this program, specifically, and for Model Programs Childhood Education, in general. (Author/WY)

Language: English

Published: Palo Alto, California, 1970

Abstract/Notes: In this study, we examined communication in the family and peer systems in relation to children's sociometric status. Codes measured turn-taking skills and utterance types for 43 children (ages 24-60 months) with mothers, fathers, and peers. Communication differences in the family and peer systems were strongest for popular versus rejected status children and their parents, but differences were also found for controversial and neglected status children and their parents. Rejected status children demonstrated turn-taking styles that included irrelevant turns, interruptions, simultaneous talking, and noncontingent responding. Parents of rejected children used higher proportions of requests than parents of popular children but failed to allow their children time to respond to the requests. Popular status children were more likely to alternate turns, provide explanations to peers, and participate in episodes of cohesive discourse. Interaction patterns were examined for potential mechanisms of transfer between family and peer systems.

Language: English

DOI: 10.2307/1131204

ISSN: 0009-3920

Language: English

ISSN: 0362-4331

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: Emily Shubitz appreciates the Nido and all of its facets and is well aware of the pioneers--Adele Costa Gnocchi and Silvana Montanaro--as she emphasizes the Nido being a developmental force rather than just a babysitting source. Her list for creating a Nido environment is thoughtful, extensive, and inclusive: home-like wood furniture, soft rugs, and custom shelves. She stresses that individualized movement in multi-age groups creates rich interactions, such as when snacks are served at a small table, parents help in the Nido, and children nap at different times. Toilet training is a step to early independence, and cloth diapers are preferred. Emily Shubitz emphasizes the importance of the Nido, where children begin life challenged but willingly work to their potential. [This talk was presented at the NAMTA conference titled "Montessori from Birth to Six: In Search of Community Values," Minneapolis, MN, November 7-10, 2013.]

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Abstract/Notes: Person-centered models of dementia care commonly merge aspects of existing models with additional influences from published and unpublished evidence and existing government policy. This study reports on the development and evaluation of one such composite model of person-centered dementia care, the ABLE model. The model was based on building the capacity and ability of residents living with dementia, using environmental changes, staff education and organizational and community engagement. Montessori principles were also used. The evaluation of the model employed mixed methods. Significant behavior changes were evident among residents of the dementia care Unit after the model was introduced, as were reductions in anti-psychotic and sedative medication. Staff reported increased knowledge about meeting the needs of people with dementia, and experienced organizational culture change that supported the ABLE model of care. Families were very satisfied with the changes.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2014.11.003

ISSN: 0197-4572

Abstract/Notes: Practices of children daycare are guided by international agreements of children rights, national laws, as well as many other documents and local daycare culture. Customer orinted approach has been supported by legislation, and since customers are children, this matter has to be ob-served from the children’s point of view. Children’s participation in developing their daycare services is often obstructed by adult attitudes and lack of functional culture. Feedback provided by parents has been important, especially when practises to collect children’s opinion directly from them are relatively unknown or do not exist. Hearing children’s opinion and al-lowing them to take part on making decisions is considered to be an important factor in modern daycare. This thesis is a part of the Verkonkutoja –project coordinated by Turku university of applied sciences. Project aims to create a network between fields of wellbeing, to develop the cooperation between branches and to create a model for collecting and handling customer feedback. Quality development is targeted to care services of elderly people, mental patients in rehabilitation, children protection and daycare. In the project, the thesis is a part of quality development of children daycare. The purpose of the thesis was to study the level of children’s satisfaction in their care in Montessori daycare center Aurinkoleijona. The goal is to develop the operation at Aurinkoleijona. The study was done by collecting information from children by using a specific Children’s Quality Game. When playing the game, children answered to a number of questions and the answers were frequentially analyzed by arranging them in six themes and dividing the themes in four different questions. According to the results, children were mostly satisfied with the care they receive at Montessori daycare center Aurinkoleijona. Negative issues presented by child-ren were a relative lack of privacy, and the fact that adults at the daycare center do not have enough time to spend with every individual child. Results of this study provided useful information about children’s opinions on their care at Montessori daycare center Aurinkoleijona. This information can be utilized for developing and maintaining the care quality at Aurinkoleijona. A similar study should be repeated in a timespan of a couple of years for controlling the state of care quality. Same study methods can be used also for other daycare establishments. / Lasten päivähoidossa aikuisten toimintaa ohjaavat kansainväliset lapsen oikeuksia määrittelevät sopimukset, kansalliset säädökset, muut ohjaavat asiakirjat sekä päiväkodin oma kulttuuri. Lainsäädäntö raamittaa asiakaslähtöisyyden periaatteen toteutumista ja kun asiakkaana on lapsi, pitäisi asiaa tarkastella lapsilähtöisyyden näkökulmasta. Käytännössä lasten osallistumi-sen esteenä ovat aikuisten asenteet ja toimintakulttuurin puutteet, arvioinnissa vanhemmat ovat olleet lapsen näkökulman viestinviejiä. Käytännöistä kerätä lasten mielipiteitä ja kokemuksia osallistua palveluiden kehittämiseen on niukasti tietoa. Lasten mielipiteen kuuleminen sekä mukaan ottaminen päätöksentekoon koetaan nykypäivänä tärkeäksi. Opinnäytetyö on osa Turun ammattikorkeakoulun koordinoimaa Verkonkutojahanketta, jonka tarkoituksena on hyvinvointialan toiminnan kehittäminen. Hankkeessa luodaan hyvinvointialan toimijoiden verkostoa, kehitetään alojen yhteistyötä ja luodaan asiakaspalautteen keruu- ja kä-sittelymalli. Laadunkehitys kohdistuu vanhusten-, mielenterveyskuntoutujien-, lasten päivähoito- ja lastensuojelupalveluihin. Opinnäytetyö oli hankkeessa osana lasten päivähoidon laadunkehi-tystä. Tarkoituksena oli tutkia lasten tyytyväisyyttä omaan hoitoonsa Montessori-päiväkoti Au-rinkoleijonassa. Tavoitteena on kehittää päiväkodin toimintaa. Tutkimus tehtiin keräämällä tietoa lapsilta (n=23) laatupelin avulla, jossa he vastasivat pelin kysymyksiin. Aineisto analysoitiin frekvenssin avulla. Tutkimuksen perusteella selvisi lasten olevan pääosin hyvin tyytyväisiä hoitoonsa Montessori-päiväkoti Aurinkoleijonassa. Erityisesti leikkiminen päiväkodin pihalla ja askartelu olivat kaikkien lasten mielestä mukavia. Kaikki lapset myös luottivat päiväkodin aikuisiin. Lasten esiintuomia epäkohtia olivat muun muassa yksityisyyden puute sekä se, että aikuisilla oli heille liian vähän aikaa. Tietoa voidaan käyttää päiväkodin laadun kehitykseen ja ylläpitoon. Tutkimus tulisi toistaa muutaman vuoden välein ja seurata päiväkodin laadun tilannetta. Samaa tutkimusmenetelmää voisi soveltaa myös muihin päiväkoteihin.

Language: Finnish

Published: Turku, Finland, 2011

Abstract/Notes: Six persons in the early to middle stages of dementia (“leaders”) were trained in Resident-Assisted Montessori Programming (RAMP™) to lead a reading activity fo...

Language: English

DOI: 10.1177/1533317506297895

ISSN: 1082-5207, 2162-9986

Language: Italian

ISSN: 0042-7241

Abstract/Notes: Montessori-Based Programming (MBP) in dementia care refers to a growing body of research and practice that has developed Montessori methods to facilitate self-paced learning, independence and engagement for people living with dementia. A number of research gaps have been identified in the existing literature such as a lack of cross-cultural studies and well-powered, robustly designed outcome studies. The current study investigated the use of MBP with a focus on provision in the United Kingdom. It aimed to identify MBP implementation approaches, challenges and barriers, and research gaps.Design and MethodsA qualitative design was implemented to analyse data from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders (N = 8) with experience of MBP in the UK. Participants included care home management and staff, MBP trainers and independent dementia experts with a background in Montessori methods. Thematic analysis identified 4 main themes and 12 sub-themes. The study took place between April 2019 and October 2019.FindingsA framework describing knowledge and understanding of MBP in the UK, implementation considerations, challenges and barriers, evidence of outcomes and research gaps was developed to provide guidance for researchers and practitioners. Implementation considerations included using a whole-home approach and changing the culture of care through management support. Barriers to implementation included conservative attitudes to care, perceived lack of time and resources, health and safety issues, and issues of sustainability.ConclusionThe benefits of MBP in dementia care are promising but require further empirical investigation. There is a need to design, execute and publish evidence to secure the support of key stakeholders in dementia care research, policy and commissioning in the UK.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1177/14713012211020143

ISSN: 1741-2684, 1471-3012