Abstract/Notes: Introducing tangible user interfaces in the educational context is gaining attention in the Human–Computer Interaction research community. Numerous syntheses of research studies highlighted the potential impacts of tangible-based interaction on improving students’ knowledge gains, understanding, and collaboration. However, the existing literature lacks exploring the impacts that physical interaction with a tangible user interface might have on young students’ short-term retention skills and their user experience. This study set out to assess the effectiveness of tangible physical objects in empowering young learners’ short-term retention skills and their usability in an authentic educational context. The experimental study was performed at a primary school with 48 preschool students (aged 4–5) assigned to two groups to evaluate the educational potential of tangible interaction modality compared to a classical Montessori activity relying on non-augmented objects. The analyses were based on students’ responses to post-tests performed after 1 day after the learning session, and the System Usability Scale questionnaire conducted in the teacher’s presence. Results indicate the potential of interacting with the Montessori tangible user interface on supporting preschool students’ knowledge building. The usability questionnaire reveals that tangible physical objects are suitable for young learners’ use. It was found that the properties of the tangible interaction modality engaged young learners in the Montessori activity. The study contributes to the educational technology community by providing a better understanding of the potential of using tangible-based interaction modality within the classroom context to support young learners’ understanding, knowledge building, and learning engagement.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1007/s00779-022-01706-9

ISSN: 1617-4917

Abstract/Notes: Montessori stated that the most critical purpose of education is making the children discover themselves and achieve their freedom. Children, whether they are typically developed or have mental disorders, are born with a competence named “absorptive mind” which helps mental activities to emerge. For mental activities to begin to emerge, the child is given a number of keys in a “prepared environment”. When all children are given freedom in a prepared environment, then they feel “happy and motivated” towards a specific skill or knowledge in their sensitive period. When they are allowed to use the equipment freely, they will do practice with it and never get tired of repeated practices. “Repetition” has a key role in “enhancing focused attention, mental strength and ability to grasp and understand”. This review article describes and discusses the Montessori pedagogy and its one type of material, practical life skills.

Language: English

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3544457

ISSN: 2501-2428

Abstract/Notes: The microstudy presented is a psycho-pedagogical experiment, which consists in applying the Montessori-specific experimental factor to a group of pre-school children in the traditional system. The investigative approach is based on a comparative study, the results obtained being interpreted from both a quantitative and a qualitative point of view. In this paper we started from the premise that Montessori strategies foster the acquisition of reading and writing skills at pre-school age. The general objectives of the investigation are the introduction into the traditional experimental system of alternative methods of acquiring reading-writing skills specific to the Montessori system and the study of the Montessori system for the acquisition of reading and writing skills in methodical terms and from the point of view of the results obtained by applying these strategies.

Language: English

ISSN: 1841-0456, 2247-8671

Language: English

DOI: 10.1086/460557

ISSN: 0013-5984

Abstract/Notes: Studies have shown scholastic, creative, and social benefits of Montessori education, benefits that were hypothesized to result from better executive functioning on the part of those so educated. As these previous studies have not reported consistent outcomes supporting this idea, we therefore evaluated scholastic development in a cross-sectional study of kindergarten and elementary school-age students, with an emphasis on the three core executive measures of cognitive flexibility, working memory update, and selective attention (inhibition). Two hundred and one (201) children underwent a complete assessment: half of the participants were from Montessori settings, while the other half were controls from traditional schools. The results confirmed that Montessori participants outperformed peers from traditional schools both in academic outcomes and in creativity skills across age groups and in self-reported well-being at school at kindergarten age. No differences were found in global executive functions, except working memory. Moreover, a multiple mediations model revealed a significant impact of creative skills on academic outcomes influenced by the school experience. These results shed light on the possibly overestimated contribution of executive functions as the main contributor to scholastic success of Montessori students and call for further investigation. Here, we propose that Montessori school-age children benefit instead from a more balanced development stemming from self-directed creative execution.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225319

ISSN: 1932-6203

Abstract/Notes: The development of self-care skills in children is a part of the Core curriculum for preschool education. The contents regarding formation of such skills include shaping hygiene practices, goodhabits and developing motor skills. Maria Montessori drew attention to the development of selfcare skills and functional independence. In her concept of preschool child education, Maria Montessori developed practical life activities which were intended to serve the development of specificskills and their application to everyday life. Therefore, the aim of the research was to identify thelevel of self-care skills in 4-year-old children attending selected kindergartens located in MińskMazowiecki and Siedlce. The research was conducted on 200 children from Non-public CreativeActivity Montessori Kindergarten ‘Zameczek’ in Siedlce, Non-public Montessori Kindergarten‘Delfinek’ in Mińsk Mazowiecki and 6 traditional kindergartens — 2 of which were located inMińsk Mazowiecki and 4 located in Siedlce. The obtained research results indicated a varied levelof self-care skills depending on kindergarten the children attended.

Language: Polish

ISSN: 2353-7140, 2353-7159

Language: English

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.1990.tb02826.x

ISSN: 0009-3920, 1467-8624

Abstract/Notes: Language development in early childhood is crucial, particularly when it comes to literacy skills, which is why suitable teaching methods have to be employed during this stage. Unfortunately, current language instruction approaches in primary schools, especially for teaching English, are often criticized for being inadequate and lacking depth in addressing the interests and requirements of learners. In 1907, however, Dr. Montessori introduced a method recognized for its focus on pivotal developmental stages and personalized instruction tailored to meet the specific needs of each learner. The current study aims to investigate the extent to which the Montessori method is effective in teaching and learning early literacy skills related to CVC words as an alternative to traditional methods used in Algerian primary schools. To achieve this aim, a quantitative approach is adopted and a quasi-experimental research method is conducted in Polyglossia School ⎯El Hammamet⎯ and Excellence Academy ⎯Tebessa⎯ on two groups (experimental and control group) of 15 participants. Both groups underwent the same pretest and posttest about the target aspect related to literacy skills in question. It is assumed that the Montessori method would enhance the learner’s performance in literacy skills, no matter how old they are (3,4, or 5 years old) compared to the traditional method; and the findings proved this to be true as they indicate a significant development of literacy skills related to CVC words among the participants in the experimental group, with an effect size of 90%. This is attributed to the implementation of the Montessori method, using sensorial materials. Results attributed to the traditional method indicate a lesser improvement (40%). Based on a comprehensive analysis of the outcomes, it is recommended that the Montessori method be adopted totally or partially in language classes, as it has proven to be advantageous for teaching early literacy skills.

Language: English

Published: Tébessa, Algeria, 2023

Abstract/Notes: Communication skills are one of the skills that students must possess in the 21st century. Not to mention Intellectual Disability students, some of whom have difficulty communicating. One of the learning methods that can stimulate students to communicate actively is the Montessori method. This research is qualitative research with the research design is Phenomenology. This research aims to identify the mathematical communication skills of Intellectual Disability students in learning the material "division" using the Montessori method. The subjects in this study were 5 SLB Tunagrahita Class X students consisting of 3 boys and two girls. One indicator of mathematical communication skills that this research focuses on is expressing mathematical ideas orally or writing. The results showed that by learning mathematics in the distribution of materials using the Montessori method, Intellectual Disability students could communicate mathematical concepts. They were more enthusiastic in learning and more confident in communicating both verbal and non-verbal communication.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1063/5.0096037

ISSN: 0094-243X

Language: English