Abstract/Notes: This research explored how an expanded and sustained education about food within the primary school curriculum in the Republic of Ireland could be achieved. A constructivist ontology underpinned the project, with multiple theoretical frameworks related to constructivist learning and building agency, informing the study. A multi-method action research methodology was used, providing practical solutions through action, reflection, practice and theory. A narrative review of the literature and existing policy preceded three sections of fieldwork. A scoping consultation with key stakeholders was followed by the development and piloting of a food education programme entitled the Global Citizenship Food and Biodiversity Theme in eight primary schools over two years, in conjunction with Green-Schools. The third section of fieldwork verified and expanded the results within a research findings feedback workshop which included academics working in education, principals, teachers, trainee teachers, and two staff members from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. The scoping consultation with key stakeholders highlighted a desire for a changed approach to food education in Irish primary schools. The key findings indicated that schools are in a unique position to influence and promote food education, but that an expanded approach to the current curriculum’s principal focus on health and nutrition was required. The term ‘circular food education’ was coined to describe the approach to food education which was consequently developed. Circular food education encompasses experiential learning, sustainability and pleasure. It is grounded in theory and is an educational solution to tackling an array of social issues: building knowledge about climate change, biodiversity loss, and food waste, teaching practical food skills, as well as instilling the potential for children to become active citizens. The development and piloting of the Global Citizenship Food and Biodiversity Theme illustrated how educational approaches that stem from constructivism could be put into practice. This theme included hands-on classes as well as building agency to think critically through the use of collaborative and social learning methods. Amartya Sen’s capability approach was used as a theoretical framework to evaluate data generated from the pilot. The research findings feedback workshop indicated that increased circular food education would require support from the whole-school, a change in approach by government as well as teacher training to address confidence and agency, and the provision of suitable facilities. One of the outputs from the research is the Global Citizenship Food and Biodiversity Theme programme which is being implemented incrementally in schools on a nation-wide basis, with 120 locations to date. A limitation of the Global Citizenship Food and Biodiversity Theme is the two-year cycle of the Green-Schools flag system. The thesis recommends a systemic policy change to food education in Irish primary schools. An embedded full-time approach within the primary curriculum would provide structure and scaffolding but requires a collaborative approach from all stakeholders. Until then, an increase in teacher training and developing teacher agency would be a suitable first step to increased food education in Irish primary school classrooms. Circular food education offers a model, which helps provide students with the ability to lead a life in which both they, and the natural world, could flourish.

Language: English

Published: Dublin, Ireland, 2023

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this study is to analysis of Montessori sensory education and the math education content commonly included in the national curriculum. The study is based on the theoretical ground that diverse, specific and systematic activities and teaching tools would help efficient teaching of abstract math concepts to young children considering their developmental characteristics. First, the math education content commonly included in the national curriculum(2007 Kindergarten Curriculum and Standard Childcare Curriculum) was analyzed and then used as reference in determining the amount of math education content included in Montessori sensory education. According to this study, even though Montessori sensory education demonstrated limited relevance to number and arithmetics, all other math content was sufficiently addressed. Therefore, the use of Montessori sensory education could be considered an efficient approach to enhancing basic math ability of young children. / 본 연구는 몬테소리 감각교구가 국가수준 교육과정에서 다루고 있는 유아 수학교육 내용을 어느 정도 다루고 있는지 비교함으로써, 유아의 수학적 기초 능력 향상을 위해 몬테소리 감각교구를 활용하기 위한 기초자료를 마련하는 데 그 목적이 있다. 이를 위해 2007년 유치원 교육과정 및 표준보육과정에서 공통적으로 다루고 있는 수학교육내용(수와 연산, 기하, 측정, 규칙성, 자료의 분석)에 따라 몬테소리 감각교구를 분석하였다. 본 연구 결과 몬테소리 감각교구는 수학교육 내용 중 수와 연산과는 비교적 관련성이 적었으나 모든 감각교구가 수학교육 내용을 충분히 다루고 있었다. 따라서 유아의 수학적 기초 능력 향상을 위한 방안으로 몬테소리 감각교구를 활용할 수 있다고 사료된다.

Language: Korean

ISSN: 2288-4467

Abstract/Notes: The Montessorian proposal for childhood education appears highly modern and relevant in relation to the development of both motor skills and cognitive functions (Shivji, 2016;), strongly supported by neurosciences’ embodied theories (Roessingh, H. & Bence, M. 2018)), and the increasing wellbeing problem related to childhood (Pate et al, 2014; Ross, 2012). This review analyses Maria Montessori’s modern educational vision, in light of the emerging needs of today’s children. The contribution reviews existing literature focusing on body and movement, but connected with cognitive, emotional and well-being aspects, which are critical in preschool education, both for educators/teachers (Atli, 2016; Akkerman, 2014; Lillard, 2011), and for school reform policies (Lillard, 2019).

Language: English

DOI: 10.6092/issn.1970-2221/12195

ISSN: 1970-2221

Abstract/Notes: Formerly entitled The Montessori Method: Scientific Pedagogy as Applied to Child Education in the Children's Houses. This book was first published in 1909 under the title 'Il Metodo della Pedagogia Scientifica Applicato all'Educazione Infantile nelle Case dei Bambini' ('The Montessori Method: Scientific Pedagogy as Applied to Child Education in the Children's Houses) and was revised in 1913, 1926, and 1935. Maria Montessori revised and reissued this book in 1948 and renamed it 'La Scoperta del Bambino'. This edition is based on the 6th Italian edition of 'La Scoperta del Bambino' published by the Italian publisher Garzanti, Milan, Italy in 1962. M. J. Costelloe, S. J. translated this Italian version into the English language in 1967 for Fides Publishers, Inc. In 2016 Fred Kelpin edited this version and added many footnotes. He incorporated new illustrations based on AMI-blueprints of the materials currently in use.

Language: English

Published: Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company, 2017

ISBN: 978-90-79506-38-5

Series: The Montessori Series , 2

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: This thesis examines the Montessori music curriculum that was developed by Maria Montessori and her music consultant Maria Maccheroni. It introduces the most typical Montessori music instruments and equipment as well as exercises that go with them. It also explores the possibilities of combining Montessori music with today’s music teaching and early childhood music education. The material of this thesis is mainly based on literature about the Montessori Method and its music section, along with observations made while working at various Montessori preschools in Finland. Many of the Montessori method’s musical exercises are challenging and can be seen as old fashioned by today’s music education standards. Maria Montessori expected many things from her Montessori teachers. Montessori teachers were expected to be completely in charge of the children’s musical education. This may be difficult to implement nowadays because in order to properly understand the Montessori music curriculum, one needs a great deal of theoretical knowledge and understanding of music. However, there are plenty of positive aspects to the Montessori music education and its elements can be applied to modern day music teaching. The Montessori method is very child-centered and even though it was developed more than a hundred years ago, the main principles are still valid today. A children’s music lesson plan is included in this thesis. It combines Montessori music education with Finnish early childhood music education. Many music educators and Montessori teachers know little about the music part of the Montessori method. Not much literature can be found about it in Finnish. The goal of this thesis is to study Montessori music education and to give more information about it to music educators and Montessori teachers. / Opinnäytetyössäni tutkin Maria Montessorin ja hänen konsulttinsa Maria Maccheronin yli sata vuotta sitten kehittämää musiikkikasvatusmenetelmää. Esittelen tyypillisimpiä montessorimusiikkivälineitä sekä niihin liittyviä harjoituksia. Lisäksi pohdin miten montessorimusiikkikasvatusta olisi mahdollista soveltaa musiikinopetuksessa ja varhaisiän musiikkikasvatuksessa. Aineistoni perustuu ennen kaikkea montessoripedagogiikasta ja montessorimusiikkikasvatuksesta saatavilla olevaan kirjallisuuteen sekä montessorileikkikoulussa työni kautta tehtyihin havaintoihin. Monet montessorimenetelmän musiikkiosion työt ja harjoitukset ovat haastavia ja nykyisen musiikkikasvatuskäsityksen mukaan vanhanaikaisia. Maria Montessorin toivetta montessoriohjaajasta, joka opettaa musiikkia hänen menetelmänsä mukaisesti, voi olla vaikea toteuttaa, koska montessorimusiikkikasvatuksen hallitseminen vaatii runsaasti musiikin teoreettista tuntemista. Montessorimusiikkikasvatuksessa on kuitenkin myös paljon hyvää ja sitä voi soveltaa nykypäivän musiikinopetukseen. Montessorimenetelmä on erittäin lapsilähtöinen ja vaikka se kehitettiin yli sata vuotta sitten, monet sen perusajatukset ovat edelleen sovellettavissa. Opinnäytetyöni sisältää tekemäni muskarituntisuunnitelman, jossa sovellan montessorimusiikkikasvatusta varhaisiän musiikkikasvatuksen tunnille. Monet musiikkikasvattajat ja montessoriohjaajat eivät tunne tai tuntevat vain pintapuolisesti montessorimenetelmän musiikkiosion, ja montessorimusiikkikasvatuksesta on saatavilla vain hyvin vähän suomenkielistä tietoa. Opinnäytetyöni tarkoitus on tutkia montessorimenetelmän musiikkiosiosta ja antaa lisätietoa montessoriohjaajille ja musiikkikasvattajille.

Language: Finnish

Published: Helsinki, Finland, 2018

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: The aim of the thesis was to map what media education is like in Montessori-pedagogical early childhood education. The purpose was to examine how Montessori pedagogy developed more than a hundred years ago meets children's digitized growth environment and media culture. The research was qualitative. The theoretical basis of the work was research on children's media use and media education, the national foundations of the early childhood education plan and the principles of Montessori pedagogy. The data collection method was a semi-structured thematic interview. The interviewees were six early childhood education teachers who worked in Montessori kindergartens for 3-6 year olds in the capital region. The transcribed material was analyzed using theory-driven content analysis. In the research questions, I clarified the Montessori educators' views on media education and its challenges, as well as the special features of Montessori pedagogical media education. In addition, it was mapped how different media content and information and communication technology were utilized in the pedagogical practices of Montessori kindergartens. The key result was that the Montessori educators had a positive attitude towards media education and were more aware than before, but there was also a need for development. The goals of teaching media literacy and information and communication technology skills were seen to be the child's inclusion, supporting agency and equality. Media education aimed to strengthen children's active media skills, i.e. children's own production and expression. A critical attitude towards media devices and content was also considered important. Learning in Montessori pedagogy is based on the concreteness and sensibility of Montessori tools, which is still seen as a working method. Therefore, supplementing the prepared learning environment with technology should be done pedagogically. On the other hand, the child-oriented nature of Montessori pedagogy, the learning of phenomena, and the effort to help the child function in their own everyday life create a good starting point for reforming Montessori pedagogy as needed with media education tools, applications, and content. Awareness of media education and supporting technical skills are ways, which strengthen the position of media education in Montessori pedagogical early childhood education.

Language: Finnish

Published: Helsinki, Finland, 2019

Language: English

Language: Spanish

ISSN: 0210-0630