Language: English

Published: Porto, Portugal: International Academic Forum (IAFOR), 2022

Pages: 75-88

DOI: 10.22492/issn.2758-0989.2022.6

Abstract/Notes: Since the 1980s, a variety of pre-school approaches has existed within the ACT Public School System. These approaches are in theory based on different educational ideologies and principles. The Field Study Project evaluates and compares three different educational models; existing classroom processes and procedures, and student achievements in a 'traditional', a modified Montessori and a Weikart pre-school currently operating in the ACT Public School System. Using selected criteria, an analysis of the three educational models, an ecological survey and student assessments were carried out to make the evaluations and comparisons. The analysis of the three educational models indicate different program orientations and instructional preferences in the different models. The ecological survey results suggest that the 'traditional', the modified Montessori and the Weikart approaches identify with the models they are based on. Nevertheless, educational trends and orientations are similar in the three programs, which are predominantly cognitively oriented. In contrast, teaching styles differ slightly. It is significant that the teacher in the 'traditional' program fulfills a more nurturing role, while her colleagues in the modified Montessori and the Weikart programs fulfill more instructional roles. The evaluation and comparison of the student assessments seems to indicate that there are no significant differences in achievement in drawing, specific cognitive tasks and in self-concept development between matched groups of learners in the three pre-schools. The findings support the notion that middle class children enrolled in approved pre-schools develop cognitive abilities regardless of the type of program they attend. The evaluation and comparison of the three existing approaches in the ACT suggests that the pre-school organisation in

Language: English

Published: Canberra, Australia, 1985

Abstract/Notes: This report, Vol. II of three interpretive manuscripts, presents Information For The Teacher, a review of literature on preschool reading instruction, along with suggestions and materials for teaching preschool reading. A skills checklist is provided and the educational television program, Sesame Street, is evaluated, since the effectiveness of this medium has been both praised and questioned. Reading readiness and motivation are discussed. The latter portion of this report offers three Appendices: Appendix A is a Guide to Materials for Prereading Instruction, Appendix B lists Publishers of Reading Materials, and Appendix C is a Reference List of Books for Preschool Children. (For related documents, see PS 005 928 and PS 005 930.) (Author/RG)

Language: English

Published: Bloomington, Indiana, Jun 1972

Abstract/Notes: This report answers questions that parents are likely to ask about preschool reading instruction. It discusses the origins, curriculum change, new concepts of intelligence and the various teaching methods such as Montessori and the British Infant School. Unlike previous generations, today's child is exposed to visual and auditory stimulation, and to forces converging simultaneously on the preschool curriculum. Events in technology, social and political changes, have exerted tremendous influence on revamping preschool educational programs. A checklist to determine whether or not the home provides for the development of early reading is offered, along with a Selected Book List for children of various ages. The need for emotional development and language skills is reviewed, good experiential backgrounds on which to base language, and an interest in reading. Although the learning of reading is highly individualized, it appears that preschool children can learn to read earlier. The parent is warned, however, that worry about a child's inability to learn to read may handicap a child, and in that case instruction is best left to the school. Trust, encouragement and interest are suggested. (For related documents, see PS 005 928 - 929.) (RG)

Language: English

Published: Bloomington, Indiana, Jun 1972

Abstract/Notes: This report presents three interpretive manuscripts on preschool reading instruction for three audiences: the school administrator, the school teacher, and the parent. "Preschool Reading Instruction: Information for the Administrator" discusses the origins of preschool reading instruction, reviews the research dealing with preschool reading instruction, and presents information necessary for installing a preschool reading program. Similarly, "Preschool Reading Instruction: Information for the Teacher" presents a review of the literature on preschool reading instruction, along with suggestions and materials for teaching preschool reading. "Preschool Reading Instruction: Information for the Parent" provides answers to questions parents ask about preschool reading instruction and suggests guidelines parents might follow in helping the preschool child before he learns to read. (Author)

Language: English

Published: Bloomington, Indiana, Jun 1972

Language: English

ISSN: 0571-1142

Abstract/Notes: Performance monitoring (PM) is central to learning and decision making. It allows individuals to swiftly detect deviations between actions and intentions, such as response errors, and adapt behavior accordingly. Previous research showed that in adult participants, error monitoring is associated with two distinct and robust behavioral effects. First, a systematic slowing down of reaction time speed is typically observed following error commission, which is known as post-error slowing (PES). Second, response errors have been reported to be automatically evaluated as negative events in adults. However, it remains unclear whether (1) children process response errors as adults do (PES), (2) they also evaluate them as negative events, and (3) their responses vary according to the pedagogy experienced. To address these questions, we adapted a simple decision-making task previously validated in adults to measure PES as well as the affective processing of response errors. We recruited 8- to 12-year-old children enrolled in traditional (N = 56) or Montessori (N = 45) schools, and compared them to adults (N = 46) on the exact same task. Results showed that children processed correct actions as positive events, and that adults processed errors as negative events. By contrast, PES was similarly observed in all groups. Moreover, the former effect was observed in traditional schoolchildren, but not in Montessori schoolchildren. These findings suggest that unlike PES, which likely reflects an age-invariant attention orienting toward response errors, their affective processing depends on both age and pedagogy.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1111/desc.13045

ISSN: 1467-7687

Language: English

Published: New York: American Montessori Society, 1977

Abstract/Notes: The Master Gardener Classroom Garden Project provides many inner-city children in the San Antonio Independent School District with an experiential way of learning about horticulture, gardening, themselves, and their relationships with their peers. To evaluate the benefits of participation in the Classroom Garden Project, data was collected on 52 second and third grade students. Qualitative interviews indicate that participation in the gardening project has had many positive effects on the school children. The children have gained pleasure from watching the products of their labor flourish, and have had the chance to increase interactions with their parents and other adults. In addition, the children have learned the anger and frustration that occur when things of value are harmed out of neglect or violence.

Language: English

ISSN: 2051-0780

Abstract/Notes: This study compared Montessori and day care compensatory programs for disadvantaged children. Students in the treatment programs were compared to a disadvantaged control group and an advantaged middle-class control group on eight tests of cognitive skill and on a composite factor score derived from the eight tests as a single summary index. Analysis indicated that treatment differences existed on six of the nine analyses. Both preschool programs were effective in raising levels of performance beyond those of other disadvantaged Students and both approached middle class levels of performance, yet the treatment groups did not differ from each other.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/00220671.1974.10884719

ISSN: 0022-0671