Abstract/Notes: While emotion recognition is shaped through social interactions from a child's early years through at least late adolescence, no emphasis has thus far been given to the effects of daily experiences at school. We posited that enriched, more diverse, and less competitive social interactions fostered by some pedagogical practices may contribute to emotion recognition processes in children. Here, we investigated differences in emotion recognition among schoolchildren experiencing the Montessori versus traditional practices. Children performed two tasks; one measuring the impact of social context on fear-surprise perception, and one measuring their bias toward happiness or anger. Results suggest that children experiencing traditional practices show a higher sensitivity to fear-recognition, while children attending Montessori schools show a higher integration of social cues and perceive expressions of happiness for longer durations. Such preliminary findings call for replication and further research to determine which pedagogical features from the Montessori method may explain these effects.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1016/j.learninstruc.2020.101353

ISSN: 0959-4752

Abstract/Notes: This literature review provides a broad examination of the importance of culturally sustaining practices in public Montessori schools. For the purpose of this paper, culturally sustaining practices refers to any pedagogical practice or framework that prioritizes the racial and social identities of children of color, and/or the work that educators must do to strengthen these culturally sustaining practices. Culturally sustaining practices include but are not limited to Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy, which Paris (2012) adapted from Ladson-Billings' (1995) Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. Specifically examining the experiences that children of color experience in public Montessori education in the U.S., the author proposes that culturally sustaining practices combined with the Montessori method will lead to more humanizing and uplifting school experiences for Montessori families and educators. The research questions guiding the review are: (1) How does public Montessori education intersect with racial justice, social justice, and CSP, specifically as it serves children of color? (2) What is the internal work required of adults who want to employ CSP in their practice with children? The themes that arose from the literature were: the racial and economic challenges facing public Montessori in the U.S.; the varied experiences of Montessori students of color; the need for more social justice and culturally sustaining practices; and the aspects of culturally sustaining practices already existing in Montessori. The paper ends with recommendations for schools and Montessori teacher preparation.

Language: English

ISSN: 1916-8128

Abstract/Notes: This mixed methods study examined the impact of School Y’s Montessori approach on their students’ academic achievement, perceptions of executive functioning skills, and the school’s culture. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of length of enrollment on academic achievement in a Montessori upper elementary and middle school classroom. Administrator, parent, student, and teacher perceptions of the impact of School Y’s Montessori approach on students’ executive functioning were examined. The stakeholders’ perceptions of School Y’s culture were also identified. There were three main findings of the study: 1) there was no statistically significant relationship between the number of years students have been enrolled and their academic scores on both the Stanford Achievement Test and the OLSAT, 2) executive functioning skills were attributed to student success, and 3) cultural practices included individual instruction, mastery, real-life learning, positive discipline, peace education, a strong sense of community, parent education and support, mindfulness in the classroom, and an emphasis on environment. Additional findings showed the NCE results of both the Stanford and the OLSAT were above grade level expectations across all grade levels and subjects. These results could be an indication that the Montessori approach used by School Y was preparing the students for success in the subjects assessed. The findings were inconclusive because there was no statistically significant relationship between the number of years students have been enrolled and their academic scores on both the Stanford Achievement Test and the OLSAT. However, their results were above grade level expectations across all grade levels and subjects.

Language: English

Published: Nashville, Tennessee, 2017

Abstract/Notes: Mindfulness training has had salutary effects with adult populations and it is seen as a potentially helpful to children’s development. How to implement mindfulness practices with young children is not yet clear; some meditation practices, like sitting still for long periods with internally-self-regulated focused attention, seem developmentally inappropriate. Montessori schooling is a 100-year-old system that naturally incorporates practices that align with mindfulness and are suited to very young children. Here I describe how several aspects of Montessori education, including privileging concentrated attention, attending to sensory experience, and engaging in practical work, parallel mindfulness practices. These aspects might be responsible for some of the socio-emotional and executive function benefits that have been associated with Montessori education, and they could be adapted to conventional classroom methods.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1007/s12671-011-0045-6

ISSN: 1868-8535

Language: English

ISSN: 1054-0040

Abstract/Notes: This study delved into analyzing the impact of human resource practices with reference to Montessori school Chennai city. A random sample of 150 individuals from the Montessori school. To achieve the study's objectives, a questionnaire was designed as a data collection tool, and appropriate statistical tests and tools within (spss.v 20) were used. this study examines the impact of human resource practices in Montessori schools, with a specific focus on the educational landscape of Chennai city. Montessori education is known for its unique approach to child development, emphasizing individualized learning and holistic growth. human resource practices play a crucial role in shaping the quality of education and the overall functioning of Montessori schools.The research adopts a qualitative approach, utilizing interviews, surveys, and observations to gather data from Montessori schools across Chennai city. the study investigates various aspects of human resource management, including recruitment and selection, training and development, performance evaluation, and employee engagement. Human resource management and educational outcomes in Montessori schools, this study provides valuable insights for school administrators, policymakers, educators, and researchers. ultimately, the findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on enhancing educational practices and fostering positive learning environments in Montessori schools. Enhanced Educational Quality to understanding how human resource practices influence Montessori schools can lead to the implementation of more effective strategies for teacher recruitment, training, and development. This, in turn, can enhance the quality of education provided to students, fostering their holistic development.

Language: English

DOI: 10.53555/kuey.v30i4.2370

ISSN: 2148-2403

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of 12 classroom teachers in different public Montessori schools in four different geographical regions of the United States. The interview was designed to allow the teachers to describe their Montessorian approach regarding areas of safety, social interaction, and respectful classroom environments to support students who may be experiencing the consequences of childhood trauma. The theories that guided this study were Albert Bandura’s (1977) social cognitive theory and the humanistic or person-centered theory of Carl Rogers (Rogers & Kramer, 1995). These theories facilitated the development of an understanding of fundamental concepts in children’s cognitive, social, and emotional learning and how those are related to classroom behavior concerns. Data were collected via a personal writing prompt and interviews, allowing the teachers to explain how they prepare their classrooms to best support the needs of children who may be dealing with the consequences of childhood trauma. Data were organized into themes to inform teacher preparation programs and ongoing professional development.

Language: English

Published: Lynchburg, Virginia, 2024

Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

Abstract/Notes: Circle time is commonplace in traditional preschools, yet there are few references to the practice in Montessori’s writings or in major Montessori organizations’ and teacher education standards. This article investigates whether circle time is frequent in Montessori 3–6-year-old classrooms using data from a widely distributed Qualtrics survey. The results, from 276 respondents spanning all 50 states, provide insight into the circle time practices of United States-based preschool Montessori teachers, also known in Montessori classrooms as guides. We present novel information regarding circle time duration and frequency, types of circle time activities, Montessori guides’ circle time training and planning, whether children’s circle time attendance is free choice or compulsory, and the nature of circle time in programs associated with Association Montessori Internationale versus American Montessori Society. Results revealed that 92% of survey participants have circle time every day or most days; most participants hold circle time for 20 minutes or less; the most common circle time events were show-and-tell, calendar work, vocabulary lessons, Grace and Courtesy lessons, read aloud discussions, dancing and movement, snack time, general conversation, read aloud (stories), and birthday celebrations. We found that many of the most frequent circle time activities do not align with children’s preferences, teacher preferences, or Early Childhood best practices. Our work invites Montessorians to engage in the work of reconstructing the traditional practice of circle time to better align with Montessori hallmarks of choice, development of the will, and joyfulness.

Language: English

DOI: 10.17161/jomr.v9i2.20962

ISSN: 2378-3923

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this study was to explore and reveal the process behind how teachers that administer standards-based tests implement instructional practices in the classroom according to the accountability measures of NCLB. The study revealed how teachers in two different school settings prepared their students for the yearly standardized test. In addition, perspectives from administrators and teachers in a Montessori public school and a traditional school setting was included to explain how teacher attitudes toward NCLB are involved in the test preparation process and how specific instructional practices affect student achievement. This research study was conducted using qualitative and quantitative research methods which discovered many similarities and differences between the two teaching and learning environments. The goals of the study were to determine (a) whether there was a significant difference between the Montessori public school teachers and the traditional public school teachers in terms of their perceptions of daily instructional practices, and (b) the significant difference between the Montessori school teachers and the traditional public school teachers in terms of their perceptions toward standardized tests as required by the NCLB law. The primary methods used in the study included a survey and face-to-face interviews with administrators and teachers’ in Grades 3–8. Findings from the study showed that both groups of teachers implemented many of the same instructional practices, but in different ways and from different perspectives as shared by the voices of the teachers throughout the study. Teachers made it a goal to prepare students for standardized testing according to the state requirements. In both learning environments students exhibited success on standardized test. At the administrative level the findings lead to the conclusion that the administrators at both sites support the review and use of data from school-wide assessments and state exams to help their students achieve on standardized testing and their teachers are fully supported by the administration during testing. However, it was evident that the way in which the two schools approached testing was different.

Language: English

Published: Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2010