Abstract/Notes: This article presents and analyses a didactic proposal based on manipulative material (Knobless Cylinders) used in a Montessori classroom of 3-6-year-old pre-schoolers. Choosing this material is justified in relation to the competencies/strategies/skills used during the development of mathematical patterning. Numerous studies emphasise the importance of patterns in mathematics and experimental sciences instruction from early childhood onward. However, there are several educational factors that have not yet been clarified, such as meaningful learning, the overuse of abstract visual patterns that are distant from the student’s previous life experience, etc. This article discusses the sequence of proposed activities and certain critical issues.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/03004279.2022.2032786

ISSN: 0300-4279, 1475-7575

Abstract/Notes: The study described below compares the goals, beliefs, practices and training of early childhood educators from three different origins: Montessori, Traditional and the Association of Playgroups (PPA), and reports practice of a research in progress. The information was gathered by means of a questionnaire which was sent to early childhood practitioners and which covers various subjects such as reading, writing, arithmetic, free choice, accessible activities, scoring, role played and commitment of parents. There was consensus on the main goals of early childhood practitioners, but many differences emerged between groups for beliefs, practice and training. The importance of high quality training for early childhood practitioners has been demonstrated. The Traditional group appeared to have the highest level of training and the practice is more often than not to maintain contact with current research more than the other two Montessori and PPA groups.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1007/BF03174924

ISSN: 0020-7187, 1878-4658

Abstract/Notes: The number of preschoolers expelled and suspended from school is the highest among all student groups. In the long run, preschool expulsions and suspensions can have statistically detrimental effects on a child's life trajectory. In addition, students who are expelled or suspended have a higher dropout rate than other students. Researchers suggested that professional development of evidence-based strategies for preschool teachers could effectively address this issue, as challenging behavior is the leading cause of suspension and expulsion for students. However, traditional methods of professional development have not proven to be effective. According to researchers, consistent coaching has been suggested as an effective way to develop professional competence. In this of this study, the effect of virtual coaching on Head Start teachers use of behavior-specific praise is examined. Head Start programs need cost-effective ways for their teachers to learn evidence-based strategies. Providing virtual coaching could alleviate these costs.

Language: English

Published: Auburn, Alabama, 2022

Abstract/Notes: This study aims to describe views of pre-service preschool teachers about Montessori and Reggio Emilia Approaches. Participants of the study were 30 pre-service preschool teachers who attended “Modern Approaches to Early Childhood Education” course. Data of the study was collected through reflection papers written by participants. At the end of data analysis process, three main themes were determined for each approach: positive aspects, negative aspects and applicability in Turkey. According to findings, the pre-service teachers have stated that use of Montessori materials and real life materials, promoting children’s self-discipline skills, child-centeredness and keeping classroom in order were positive aspects of Montessori approach; however, the increased responsibility of the teachers, limited group activities and use of real life materials were the negative aspects of the approach. In addition, according to half of the pre-service teachers, the Montessori Method was not available; and the other half has stated that use of this method was too hard but not impossible. The cooperation with parents, supporting creativity of children, using documentation technique for assessment and child-centeredness were mentioned as positive aspects of the Reggio Emilia Approach. On the other hand, focusing on art and creativity, and using emergent curriculum were emphasized as negative aspects. Lastly, all pre-service preschool teachers have agreed that the Reggio Emilia Approach could not be used in Turkey. / Bu çalışma, okul öncesi öğretmen adaylarının Montessori yaklaşımı ve Reggio Emilia yaklaşımı ile ilgili görüşlerini ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır. Çalışmanın katılımcılarını "Okul Öncesi Eğitiminde Çağdaş Yaklaşımlar" dersine kayıtlı 30 öğretmen adayı oluşturmaktadır. Çalışmanın verisi, yansıtma raporları (reflection paper) ile toplanmıştır. Veri analizleri sonucunda her bir yaklaşım için 3 ana tema belirlenmiştir: (1) Olumlu yönler, (2) olumsuz yönler ve (3) Türkiye'de uygulanabilirlik. Bulgulara göre; öğretmen adayları sınıfta Montessori materyallerinin ve gerçek materyallerin kullanılması, çocuğa özdenetim becerisi kazandırılması, sınıf ortamının düzenli olması gibi durumları bu metodun olumlu yönleri olarak dile getirirken, öğretmenin sorumluluğunun artırması, büyük grup etkinliklerinin sınırlı olması ve sınıfta gerçek materyallerin kullanılması gibi noktaları da olumsuzluk olarak dile getirmişlerdir. Ayrıca çalışmaya katılan adayların yarısına göre bu metodun Türkiye’de uygulanması mümkün değilken, yarısına yakınına göre ise kullanılabilmesi çok zordur ama imkânsız değildir. Reggio Emilia yaklaşımı ile ilgili olarak ise, yöntemin aile ile işbirliğini kullanması, yaratıcılığı desteklemesi ve değerlendirme için dokümantasyon yöntemini kullanması gibi durumlar olumlu görülürken, sanat ve yaratıcılığın ön planda olması ve anlık hazırlanan program kullanılması gibi noktalar olumsuzluklar olarak ifade edilmiştir. Ayrıca çalışmaya katılan öğretmen adaylarının tamamı, bu yaklaşımın Türkiye’de kullanımının mümkün olmayacağı konusunda hemfikirdir.

Language: Turkish

DOI: 10.17679/iuefd.58218

ISSN: 1300-2899

Abstract/Notes: Conducted a 2-year observational study of a total of 81 lower- and middle-class 3-6 year olds to examine the behavior of young children in school settings which program all or part of the day as "free play" time. Results indicate that with age, children became more effective in moving from one activity to another; they spent less time in transition and longer periods in activity. Behaviors exhibited while in transition became less dependent on the immediate surrounding and seemed to indicate more autonomy. Lower-class boys had shorter activity lengths and more transitions than the other groups. A qualitative description of children's transition behavior is presented and possible implications of the findings for developmental and educational research are discussed.

Language: English

ISSN: 0016-6677

Abstract/Notes: This study was conducted in order to better analyze the customer service culture of two international preschools Hooray and Kindy Garden Montessori. In order to be able to compare and point out the differences between these two preschools and make recommendations, suggestions and some solutions to develop a customer service culture for the two preschools.

Language: English

ISSN: 2583-049X

Abstract/Notes: Studies in cognitive neuroscience have shown that education practices can affect the development of executive functions (EF) in young children, although there is very little evidence on young preschool children. The present study aims to provide support for this endeavor, and consists of a quasi-experimental design with one-group pre-test/ post-test measures of cognitive control at age 3 in an urban public Montessori preschool. Three-year-olds (N = 23) in an authentic Montessori public preschool in Washington DC improved significantly on core EF measures (inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility) validated by the NIH Toolbox Early Childhood Cognition Battery, and the data revealed large effect sizes. Comparisons against NIH published norms revealed no selection bias. Performance on EF measures did not correlate with age but did correlate with amount of time between testing sessions, suggesting the possibility that experience, more than age, could have contributed to cognitive control growth. A controlled comparison between mixed-age and single-age classes revealed no differences in these EFs, raising the possibility that aspects of the environment other than the age composition are likely to contribute to growth. We propose that a potential contributor to EF growth is Montessori education, and more specifically, that this growth might be found in the design of interaction of the child with the environment. In particular, we discuss the design element called control of error, and consider why this element might be related to cognitive abilities such as inhibitory control. In current national discussions on the importance of equitable early childhood education, the synthesis of findings from neurocognitive studies has implications for children’s academic and life success.

Language: English

DOI: 10.3389/feduc.2018.00106

ISSN: 2504-284X

Abstract/Notes: The IEA Preprimary Project is a longitudinal, cross-national study of preprimary care and education designed to identify how process and structural characteristics of the settings children attended at age 4 are related to their age-7 cognitive and language performance. Investigators collaborated to develop common instruments to measure family background, teachers’ characteristics, setting structural characteristics, experiences of children in settings, and children’s developmental status. Data from 10 countries are included in the analysis; in most countries, the sample of settings is representative of preprimary settings in that country. For the analysis, a 3-level hierarchical linear model was employed that allowed decomposition of variation of child outcomes into three parts—variation among children within settings, among settings within countries, and among countries. Four findings are consistent across all of the countries included. Age-7 language improves as teachers’ number of years of full-time schooling increases and the predominant type of activity teachers propose in settings is free choice rather than personal/social. Age-7 cognitive performance improves as children spend less time in whole group activities and the variety of equipment and materials available increases. There were also a number of findings that varied across countries depending on particular country characteristics. The findings support child-initiated activities and small group activities and are consistent with developmentally appropriate practices promoting active learning.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecresq.2006.07.007

ISSN: 0885-2006, 1873-7706

Abstract/Notes: Examines the relationship between two preschool program directors' and teachers' beliefs, instructional decisions, and preschool children's conceptions of reading and writing. Results show that preschool children's conceptions of reading and writing reflected the practices of the two programs. (Author/BB) Directors of two preschool programs were interviewed regarding their orientations toward reading and writing instruction. Ten children from each program were interviewed regarding their conceptions of reading and writing. One school was found to have a “mastery of specific skills/text-based” orientation, and the other was found to have a “holistic/reader-based” orientation. A relationship was found between preschool program's orientations toward reading and writing instruction and children's ideas about reading and writing. The relationships between preschool practices and children's conceptions are examined. Implications for the influence of preschool teacher's beliefs and instructional decisions on children's conceptions of reading and writing are discussed.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1016/S0885-2006(89)90077-X

ISSN: 0885-2006, 1873-7706

Abstract/Notes: Contextual influences on private speech were examined in two preschools differing in the learning environments they provide for children. Observations of 3- to 5-year-olds were made during free-choice periods in a Montessori and a traditional (play-oriented) program. Consistent with Vygotsky's theory that make-believe play serves as a vital context for the development of self-regulation, the incidence of private speech was much higher during open-ended activities, especially fantasy play, that require children to determine the goal of the task, than during closed-ended tasks with predetermined goals. In line with previous research, the more direct involvement, or external regulation, teachers displayed, the lower the rate of children's private speech. In addition, transitions (as opposed to involvement in activities) were linked to reduced private speech, whereas engagement with peers, in the form of associative play, predicted greater self-directed language. Diminished make-believe play, greater teacher direct involvement, and heightened time spent in transitions largely accounted for the lower incidence of private speech in the Montessori compared with the traditional preschool. Contextual factors also contributed to a drop in private speech at age 5. Implications for fostering children's verbal self-regulation during early childhood are considered.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1016/S0885-2006(99)80065-9

ISSN: 0885-2006, 1873-7706