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Full-Text Articles in Education
The Effects Of Cognitively Engaging Exercise On Children’S Executive Functioning, Emily E. Osborn
The Effects Of Cognitively Engaging Exercise On Children’S Executive Functioning, Emily E. Osborn
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This study examines the effect of combining vigorous exercise with cognitively engaging games on children’s executive functioning skills such as self-direction, engagement, and focus. Over four weeks, the research took place in a Montessori early childhood classroom with 17 children ages 2.6 to 6. The four-week study included a one-week baseline week to collect initial data on the capabilities of self-direction and comprehensive data on energy levels and engagement. The children participated in a 14-minute movement activity with 7 minutes of vigorous exercise and 7 minutes of cognitive-engaging games. The researcher used both quantitative and qualitative data tools to examine …
Physical Activity Improving Executive Functioning Behaviors In Montessori Children Ages 3-12, Melissa Patten, Amanda Bodden
Physical Activity Improving Executive Functioning Behaviors In Montessori Children Ages 3-12, Melissa Patten, Amanda Bodden
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
Executive function refers to the intellectual processes necessary for goal-directed cognition and behavior, which develop across childhood and adolescence. This study focused on the effects of physical activity on concentration and focus, prior to academic lessons, in urban Montessori classrooms ages 3-12. This study was administered for six weeks utilizing a thematic calendar of physical activities. The tools used for data collection were: a pre-dialogue with teachers, pre and post-assessments, control tallies, on and off-task observation counts and a post-satisfaction survey. Movement interventions improved focus and concentration by an average of 27%. The data collected supported our hypothesis that purposeful …
The Effect Of Purposeful Movement In The Garden On Attention And Focus In The Primarymontessori Classroom, Linda Webb
The Effect Of Purposeful Movement In The Garden On Attention And Focus In The Primarymontessori Classroom, Linda Webb
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This study explores how gardening affects students’ focus and attention in a primary Montessori classroom. Over the course of a four-week intervention, the teacher-researcher provided eleven students with mini-gardening lessons, followed by time to use purposeful movement in the garden. When students returned to the classroom to assume their Montessori work activities, the researcher collected data by recording the time it took the students to get on task, whether or not students were focused, and which unfocused behaviors were exhibited. A pre-and post-attitude scale was completed by the students to determine prior experiences and attitudes towards gardening. The study revealed …
Movement Interventions For Appropriate And Coordinated Movement, Brianna N. Blasberg
Movement Interventions For Appropriate And Coordinated Movement, Brianna N. Blasberg
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this action research was to determine the effect of fundamental movement lessons and independent movement jobs on appropriate and coordinated movement as well as focus of students. Twenty-five students from a lower elementary class of first, second, and third graders in a public Montessori school participated in the study. Data was collected over a period of six weeks using a coordination scale, student feedback, work plans, and time on task observations. Results show a positive correlation between movement intervention and student coordination, on task behavior, focus, and productivity. All students reported positive associations with the movement jobs …
The Effects Of Daily Art Activities On Attention In Elementary Students An Action Research Report By Marjan, Marjan Oghabi
The Effects Of Daily Art Activities On Attention In Elementary Students An Action Research Report By Marjan, Marjan Oghabi
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The goal of this action research project was to investigate the effects of morning art activities on student focus. The intervention took place over five weeks at a public elementary school. Nineteen students participated in a lower elementary Montessori classroom of six to nine year olds. The qualitative and quantitative data collected were student surveys, behavior tally sheets, student and teacher assessments, field observations and conversations. The evidence showed a relationship between daily art activities and student concentration. The students increased their time on task while writing reflections about their artwork throughout the five-week study. Future research could examine the …
The Effects Of Mindfulness On Students’ Attention, Rose Bringus
The Effects Of Mindfulness On Students’ Attention, Rose Bringus
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research project examined the effects of mindfulness and meditation on concentration among elementary students. The research was conducted at a private Montessori school in an upper elementary classroom for twenty-six children ages nine to twelve. Baseline data was collected for three consecutive days. The intervention was implemented for four weeks. The teacher led the students in mindful movements in the morning and daily meditation took place in the afternoon. The average percent of on-task behavior was collected for baseline data using observational records and journal notes. Observational records included what percent of the class was on-task for specific …
The Effects Of Mindfulness Practices And Activities On Student Attention And Work Engagement In A Multi-Age 4th To 6th Grade Montessori Classroom, Jamie L. Schaub
The Effects Of Mindfulness Practices And Activities On Student Attention And Work Engagement In A Multi-Age 4th To 6th Grade Montessori Classroom, Jamie L. Schaub
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this research was to test whether the implementation of mindfulness exercises would increase focus and work engagement of students. This study incorporated breathing and visualization exercises three times a week. The 5-week study involved 44 children between the ages of 9 and 12 years in a private Montessori school in Northern Michigan. Data collection included daily tallies of on and off task behavior, daily observations of work engagement, pre and post questionnaires about mindfulness completed by each child, and oneon- one discussions with each participant. Results showed an increase in the number of students on task and …
Purposeful Movement In An Early Childhood Classroom, Dana H. Mccabe
Purposeful Movement In An Early Childhood Classroom, Dana H. Mccabe
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this action research was to determine the effects of physical activity through purposeful movement on behaviors and the ability to focus in a mixed-age Montessori Early Childhood classroom. The intervention took place over a period of six weeks in an independent school setting with 17 children ages 2.5 to 6. Data was collected using observation tallies and notes, a teacher journal, and interviews with the children. Results show some of the children’s behaviors were positively affected by the use of specific movement materials. Although there was not much change observed, the intervention appeared to help some children …
Mindfulness-Based Practice In An Elementary Classroom, Lauren M. Coiner
Mindfulness-Based Practice In An Elementary Classroom, Lauren M. Coiner
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
Abstract The purpose of this research was to teach children how to control and deepen their focus through mindfulness practice. The study integrated a daily practice of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) movements, breathing, and focus training. The six-‐week study involved fourteen children between the ages of 5 and 9 years from a private school in the Bay Area of California. Data collection included a pre-‐and post-‐ assessment for each child, daily observations, and parent observations. Results of the pre-‐and post-‐assessments revealed mixed opinions on the connection between deepened focus and mindfulness practice. Observation data showed an overall increase in …
Effects Of Directed Movement On Focus, Catherine A. Zoeckler
Effects Of Directed Movement On Focus, Catherine A. Zoeckler
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this study was to determine if directed movement would positively affect the focus for all children. Children with underdeveloped executive functions frequently disrupt the learning of others. This study was implemented in a mixed-age lower elementary classroom populated by 27 children ages 6 to 9 years. The project covered a total of six weeks, four of which included directed movement for at least three days of the week. Prior to implementing movement into the classroom, three lessons were presented that related to brain function, focus and mindfulness. Pre-study student work samples, teacher observations of the work period …