Language: English

Published: San Francisco, California, 1976

Abstract/Notes: The Montessori Children’s House includes a variety of materials to meet the many different needs of children in the classroom. However, some children exhibit challenging behaviors in the classroom that make it difficult for them to attend to and complete work. These behaviors also disrupt the other children that are working and engaged in the classroom. The child who exhibits challenging behavior requires extra attention from the teacher, making it difficult for him/her to be independent and develop positive peer relationships. Sensory integration was defined by Jean Ayres as “the neurological process that organizes sensation from one’s own body and from the environment and makes it possible to use the body effectively within the environment” (Ayres 1972, p. 11). Research has shown that sensory integration materials such as fidgets, mouth tools, rocking and bouncing tools, and noise blocking headphones help to calm children and improve focus in classrooms. In this case study of two children within a classroom of 25, we measured undesirable behaviors before and after the introduction of sensory integration materials. We also tracked the usage of the sensory integration materials by all of the children in the classroom. The data collected showed that over a period of seven weeks, the inclusion of these materials produced a slight improvement in behaviors of the two children in the case study. The study also showed that children in the classroom regularly utilized the sensory integration materials to help them focus on work in the classroom. While future study can expand on this work, based on the findings of the introductory research presented here, including sensory integration materials in the Montessori Children’s House can reduce challenging behaviors and help children self-regulate so that they can better focus on classroom work.

Language: English

Published: River Falls, Wisconsin, 2018

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this study is to examine the differences in young children's multiple intelligence and social behaviors based not only on Montessori and general programs of day care centers but also on their gender and social- demographic factors. The subjects were 329 young children (182 boys and 147 girls aged from four to five) from two day care centers in Cheongju city. The instruments used in this study were HAPI (Hillside assessment of Perceived Intelligence) to measure the surveyee's multiple intelligence and Park & Lee's scale to measure their social behaviors. The frequencies, percentiles, mean, standard deviations, Cronbach a, t-teat, F and LSD were used to analyze the collected data through SPSS WIN program. The results of this study are as follows: 1) As for young children's multiple intelligence, there are differences according to young children's gender, order of birth, parents' level of education and teacher's working period out of social-demographic factors. 2) As for the young children's social behavior, there are differences according to young children's gender, mother's level of education and teacher's working period out of social-demographic factors.

Language: Korean

ISSN: 1226-0851, 2234-3768

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: The research experiment was conducted at a dual language Montessori school in a lower elementary classroom that contained first grade students. The classroom contained thirteen students in total, with five boys and eight girls, and two head teachers. The research investigated if peaceful lessons (grace and courtesy lessons) and peaceful teacher modeling would affect the student’s behaviors and concentration in the classroom. The research began with baseline data collection through student interviews, student work, and a behavior tally sheet completed during the great work period in the morning. After the first two weeks of school, daily peaceful lessons were conducted with the students, and the teacher made mindful changes, to model positive language and behaviors in the classroom. The data concluded that peaceful lessons and teacher modeling had a positive effect on the behavior and concentration of the student’s in the classroom. Peaceful lessons and teacher modeling will continue once a week to prolong positive student behaviors in the classroom environment.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2013

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of the research was to find which interventions (cognitive, humanistic, behavioral, social) are most effective in decreasing off-task behaviors in an elementary classroom. The research project took place in an upper elementary classroom. The class consists of sixteen fourth through sixth grade Montessori students in a public school setting. Fifty percent of these students are new to Montessori education. Twenty-five percent of the class is special needs students. The four sources of data used in this research included observation forms, self-assessment forms, a story-evaluation form, and class revision of community rules. The results showed a decrease in off-task behaviors and an increase in on-task learning. The conclusion of this research reveals that the most successful intervention is the behavioral learning theory. Students improve the most when given direct responsibility for becoming aware of and changing their own off-task behaviors. They are able to transfer this knowledge into supporting their community's on-task learning.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2014

Abstract/Notes: Background: To evaluate the effect of Montessori method on cognitive and behavioral function in patients with senile dementia by meta-analysis. Methods: The randomized controlled trials of the effect of Montessori method on cognitive and behavioral functions of Alzheimer’s patients in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Excerpt Medica Database, The Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Weipu Information Chinese Periodical Service Platform database and Wanfang database were searched by computer, and the references of relevant literatures were traced. Two researchers independently conducted literature screening, data extraction, evaluation and inclusion in the literature, using RevMan 5.4.1 software for meta-analysis. Results: A total of 11 literatures were included and 936 patients were enrolled. Meta analysis shows that compared with routine nursing, Montessori method is helpful to improve the overall cognitive function (standardized mean difference = 1.53, 95% confidence interval (1.32, 1.73), P < 0.01), activities of daily living and reduce the incidence of adverse events (relative risk = 0.37, 95% confidence interval (0.21, 0.63), P < 0.01) in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Conclusion: Montessori method is helpful to improve the overall cognitive function, activities of daily living and reduce the incidence of adverse events in patients with senile dementia. Affected by the included study, it still needs to be confirmed by multi center and large sample randomized controlled study.

Language: English

DOI: 10.53388/AGING202204007

ISSN: 2815-7168

Abstract/Notes: Objectives The Montessori Assessment System (MAS) is an assessment tool that aims at assessing preserved abilities in persons with moderate to severe dementia and to serve as basis for person-centered interventions. As responsive behaviors are highly frequent in this population, we assessed their possible influence on the MAS administration and results.Methods 193 persons with a diagnosis of dementia in the moderate to severe stages living in nursing homes completed the MAS. Responsive behaviors were assessed by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI).Results The NPI scores were heterogeneous, but responsive behaviors were present for at least 5 NPI domains in more than 50% of the participants. While NPI scores had weak relationships with MAS completion time and total score, primarily for the hallucinations, euphoria, and aberrant motor behaviors domains, a large majority of the participants fully completed the MAS.Conclusions The presence of responsive behaviors as assessed by the NPI does not limit MAS administration, despite minor influence on MAS score and completion time.Clinical implications The MAS may be applied to persons with moderate to severe dementia presenting responsive behaviors. Assessment of preserved abilities can greatly improve the design of person-centered care plans in this population.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2021.1924333

ISSN: 0731-7115

Abstract/Notes: Literature regarding Montessori-based activities with older adults with dementia is fairly common with early stages of dementia. Conversely, research on said activities with individuals experiencing late-stage dementia is limited because of logistical difficulties in sampling and data collection. Given the need to understand risks and benefits of treatments for individuals with late-stage dementia, specifically regarding their mental and behavioral health, this study sought to evaluate the effects of a Montessori-based activity program implemented in a long-term care facility. Utilizing an interrupted time series design, trained staff completed observation-based measures for 43 residents with late-stage dementia at three intervals over six months. Empirical measures assessed mental health (anxiety, psychological well-being, quality of life) and behavioral health (problem behaviors, social engagement, capacity for activities of daily living). Group differences were observed via repeated measures ANOVA and paired-samples t-tests. The aggregate, longitudinal results—from baseline to final data interval—for the psychological and behavioral health measures were as follows: problem behaviors diminished though not significantly; social engagement decreased significantly; capacities for activities of daily living decreased significantly; quality of life increased slightly but not significantly; anxiety decreased slightly but not significantly; and psychological well-being significantly decreased. Improvements observed for quality of life and problem behaviors may yield promise for Montessori-based activities and related health care practices. The rapid physiological and cognitive deterioration from late-stage dementia should be considered when interpreting these results.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1177/1471301217703242

ISSN: 1741-2684, 1471-3012