Language: English

Abstract/Notes: The development of error monitoring is central to learning and academic achievement. However, few studies exist on the neural correlates of children’s error monitoring, and no studies have examined its susceptibility to educational influences. Pedagogical methods differ on how they teach children to learn from errors. Here, 32 students (aged 8–12 years) from high-quality Swiss traditional or Montessori schools performed a math task with feedback during fMRI. Although the groups’ accuracies were similar, Montessori students skipped fewer trials, responded faster and showed more neural activity in right parietal and frontal regions involved in math processing. While traditionally-schooled students showed greater functional connectivity between the ACC, involved in error monitoring, and hippocampus following correct trials, Montessori students showed greater functional connectivity between the ACC and frontal regions following incorrect trials. The findings suggest that pedagogical experience influences the development of error monitoring and its neural correlates, with implications for neurodevelopment and education.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1038/s41539-020-0069-6

ISSN: 2056-7936

Abstract/Notes: The Montessori educational method has existed for over 100 years, but evaluations of its effectiveness are scarce. This review paper has three aims, namely to (1) identify some key elements of the method, (2) review existing evaluations of Montessori education, and (3) review studies that do not explicitly evaluate Montessori education but which evaluate the key elements identified in (1). The goal of the paper is therefore to provide a review of the evidence base for Montessori education, with the dual aspirations of stimulating future research and helping teachers to better understand whether and why Montessori education might be effective.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1038/s41539-017-0012-7

ISSN: 2056-7936

Abstract/Notes: The main problem in this study is how the influence of the use of learning media based on the Montessori method on the ability to read and write at the beginning of grade 1 at UPT SPF SDN Minasa Upa. This study aims to determine the effect of the use of learning media based on the Montessori method on reading ability and the beginning of class I UPT SPF SDN Minasa Upa. The results of the Hypothesis Test show the value of df = 10 and the value of 0.05/2 = 0.025. We use this value as a basic reference in finding the t table in the t table. Because t count tta table ( t count = 5,422 t table = 2,22814, thus H0 is rejected and H1 is accepted. It can be said that the use of learning media based on the Montessori method affects the reading and writing ability of grade I students at UPT SPF SD Negeri Minasa Upa. Results Based on the research and discussion, it can be concluded that the use of learning media based on the Montessori method in learning affects the ability to read and write at the beginning of class I at UPT SPF SD Negeri Minasa Upa Makassar City. This can be proven from the average score of student learning at the time of the pretest was 79.36 in the medium category and the average score at the posttest was 84.27 in the high category.

Language: English

ISSN: 2798-1428

Abstract/Notes: Education is central to the acquisition of knowledge, such as when children learn new concepts. It is unknown, however, whether educational differences impact not only what concepts children learn, but how those concepts come to be represented in semantic memory—a system that supports higher cognitive functions, such as creative thinking. Here we leverage computational network science tools to study hidden knowledge structures of 67 Swiss schoolchildren from two distinct educational backgrounds—Montessori and traditional, matched on socioeconomic factors and nonverbal intelligence—to examine how educational experience shape semantic memory and creative thinking. We find that children experiencing Montessori education show a more flexible semantic network structure (high connectivity/short paths between concepts, less modularity) alongside higher scores on creative thinking tests. The findings indicate that education impacts how children represent concepts in semantic memory and suggest that different educational experiences can affect higher cognitive functions, including creative thinking.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1038/s41539-021-00113-8

ISSN: 2056-7936

Abstract/Notes: This article is reprinted in: "Montessori Schools in America: Historical, Philosophical, and Empirical Research Perspectives" (edited by John P. Chattin-McNichols).

Language: English

ISSN: 0029-4519

Abstract/Notes: Children begin school with a range of pre-literacy skills that serve as the foundation for later reading achievement. These skills include phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge and vocabulary. The New Zealand early childhood curriculum Te Whariki is non-prescriptive in terms of literacy and allows for early childhood centres to develop their own literacy programmes with varying levels of emphasis on pre-literacy skills. This article describes research into the pre-literacy skills and knowledge of 23 children between the ages of 4.6 and 4.11 months attending two Montessori centres in New Zealand where the Head Teachers are Montessori trained and the centres use traditional Montessori resources and materials to develop literacy. The researcher investigated the efficacy of a Montessori approach to the development of literacy skills in four year olds in the context of current research around pre-literacy skills development in early childhood education.

Language: English

ISSN: 1174-6122

Language: English

DOI: 10.1016/S0732-118X(00)00009-X

ISSN: 0732-118X, 1873-3522

Abstract/Notes: This paper surveys the introduction of Montessori methods into New Zealand state schools (especially the Wanganui district) 1911-1924. The background of the way in which Montessorian methods were fed into conventional schools by officials who adopted a top-down approach is analyzed. It is argued that this way of initiating classroom reform accounted for the failure of the Montessorian approach to have any lasting impact upon state schools in New Zealand.

Language: English

ISSN: 2199-4714, 0028-8276

Language: English

ISSN: 2199-4714, 0028-8276