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Montessori

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Full-Text Articles in Education

Developing Self-Regulation, Terriann Vandeventer Dec 2023

Developing Self-Regulation, Terriann Vandeventer

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

"Abstract This research seeks to determine if children can develop self-regulation through games and activities in early childhood. This research was completed over six weeks in a classroom of three- to six-year-old students in a Montessori school. The researcher presented weekly games to the students to develop self-regulation skills such as listening, following directions, and body awareness. The researcher completed student surveys using qualitative and quantitative data from teacher observations to support their findings. The research found that games and activities can develop self-regulation skills in young children, lead to positive self-regulation behavior, decrease negative regulation skills, and increase self-awareness."


The Impact Of Role-Play On The Self-Regulation Of Preschoolers Following The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jennifer Myers Dec 2023

The Impact Of Role-Play On The Self-Regulation Of Preschoolers Following The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jennifer Myers

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This Action Research Project examined the impact of role-play on preschoolers’ self-regulation development in a Montessori primary classroom. The class consisted of 18 students; ages 3-5 years old. Four of the nine students in the intervention had delays, disruptions, or modifications to their Montessori experience, possibly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Role-play scenarios were performed by the students for four weeks. The results show that role-play positively impacted self-regulation in the primary classroom. The average percentage of self-regulated behaviors increased by 28.5% from the pre-intervention week through the last intervention week. Modeling of self-regulated behaviors increased, and modeling of dysregulated …


Leveraging Ai Tools To Reduce Teacher Stress And Workload, Kassidy Waddell Dec 2023

Leveraging Ai Tools To Reduce Teacher Stress And Workload, Kassidy Waddell

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research paper investigates the integration of AI-powered tools, specifically ChatGPT, to develop individualized lesson plans with the aim of alleviating teacher stress and reducing workload. Drawing upon theoretical frameworks such as Self-Efficacy Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model, the study explores the potential of AI technology to enhance classroom experiences. The research questions addressed in this study include 1) to identify the advantages and disadvantages of using ChatGPT in a classroom setting and 2) to assess whether integrating ChatGPT into a Montessori classroom can positively impact student and teacher learning. Qualitative data was collected over a five-week intervention …


The Effects Of Work Plans On Independence In A Primary Montessori Classroom, Cynthia Narine May 2023

The Effects Of Work Plans On Independence In A Primary Montessori Classroom, Cynthia Narine

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project aimed to examine the effects introducing picture-based work plans would have on independence in a Primary Montessori classroom. The intervention took place over seven weeks and involved a middle-class suburban classroom with 25 children ages three to six-years old. Data was collected through the use of tally sheets which recorded the number of times children asked for suggestions; tables which recorded the number of children engaged in meaningful work; an observation log for observations taken globally; and a field journal which recorded the researcher’s thoughts, questions, and other observations at the time. The data showed a …


Increasing Concentration Through Multistep Practical Life Works In A Montessori 2-6 Classroom, Gay Luise May 2023

Increasing Concentration Through Multistep Practical Life Works In A Montessori 2-6 Classroom, Gay Luise

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

"This intervention was intended to combat apathy and disengagement in a preschool Montessori classroom. Four traditional Practical Life tasks were introduced to 15 students, dusting the shelves, sweeping the floor, carpet sweeping, and mopping the floor. These tasks required many different types of movement to complete. The intention was to test Dr. Montessori’s assertions that movement is essential for early brain development. The research took place in an urban Montessori and included 15 participants. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected over a four-week period. At the end of the intervention, findings indicated that their ability to concentrate increased after …


The Effects Of Music And Movement On Learning Sight Words, Khou Moua May 2023

The Effects Of Music And Movement On Learning Sight Words, Khou Moua

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research aimed to evaluate the effects of music and movement on learning sight words. This study occurred in a public Montessori classroom in a metropolitan area in Minnesota. There were 19 students, ages 4-6, and 10 targeted sight words. Students viewed Jan Richardson and Jack Hartmann’s Sight Word Music videos during the 6-week intervention. In each video, students were encouraged to dance, move, sing, and follow the instructions of the musician. Baseline and post-assessment data, student attitude surveys, video observations, and student activity worksheets were collected and evaluated from 10 kindergarten students. Quantitative data revealed increased student proficiency …


Breaking Bread: Co-Creating Mindful Eating Practices In Lower Elementary, Katie Keller May 2023

Breaking Bread: Co-Creating Mindful Eating Practices In Lower Elementary, Katie Keller

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research study was to explore the impact of multicultural culinary arts food preparation activities on food neophobia in the Montessori lower elementary classroom. The research study took place over three weeks in a public charter Montessori school, located in St. Louis, MO. Children ages 6-9 years old from one classroom participated in the study. The intervention strategy, based on Social Cognitive Theory, implemented key experience lessons, cosmic stories, and mindful eating strategies. Each food preparation activity lasted approximately 45 minutes and occurred three times a week during the study. The intervention demonstrated repeated exposure and involvement …


The Effectiveness Of Grace And Courtesy Lessons In A Montessori Environment, Megan Green May 2023

The Effectiveness Of Grace And Courtesy Lessons In A Montessori Environment, Megan Green

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This study explored the effectiveness of grace and courtesy lessons in teaching a specific set of social skills to young children as well as how this approach impacts children’s ability to navigate related social situations successfully and independently. Research took place over seven weeks in a Montessori primary environment, comprised of 26 children aged 33 months to six years of age. The school is located in an urban, low socioeconomic area and is a hybrid private early childcare center and K-6 charter school. Research data was gathered in the form of field journal notes to record the presenter’s general thoughts …


The Effectiveness Of Roleplaying In Teaching Preschoolers Social Skills, Qi Pan May 2023

The Effectiveness Of Roleplaying In Teaching Preschoolers Social Skills, Qi Pan

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of role-play as a means of enhancing the social skills of preschool students in a Montessori setting. A total of 37 children between the ages of two and a half to six years who participated in a five week study. The interventions were conducted once a week for four weeks, during which children took turns participating in simulated scenarios that mirrored their everyday experiences. After the role-play presentation, assessments and group discussions were conducted to evaluate the children's comprehension. The research data was gathered before, during and after the interventions. The researcher …


Montessori Parent Education: Supporting Early Childhood Independence Through Social-Emotional Learning, Gloria Boesenberg May 2023

Montessori Parent Education: Supporting Early Childhood Independence Through Social-Emotional Learning, Gloria Boesenberg

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project evaluated how a one-time parent education session focused on emotional coaching and social-emotional learning affected children’s independence in a small, private Montessori preschool. During the five-week study, children’s task independence and self-management at home and school were assessed by parents and teacher, respectively. Parents reported greater confidence in supporting children’s independence and emotion regulation following the intervention. Both task independence and self-management levels were high at school. While task independence at school did not increase due to parent education, task independence increased at home. There was a trend toward increased self-management at home following intervention, and …


Benefits Of Using The Montessori Method To Teach Literacy To Tk-2, Taylor Holter May 2023

Benefits Of Using The Montessori Method To Teach Literacy To Tk-2, Taylor Holter

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of this senior capstone is to examine the benefits of using the Montessori method to teach literacy to TK-2 grade children. This encompasses children ranging from ages four to eight. Through the use of literature review on how the Montessori method developed, reviews of records, and interviews with Montessori professionals, the result findings indicate that the use of the Montessori method to teach literacy does indeed benefit TK-2 children. In addition, children educated in the Montessori method have a deeper understanding of literacy and possess the knowledge and skills of reading and writing when introducing the concepts of …


The Influence Of Yoga And Meditation On Intrinsic Motivation In Early Childhood Education, Nicole Laviolette Dec 2022

The Influence Of Yoga And Meditation On Intrinsic Motivation In Early Childhood Education, Nicole Laviolette

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

"The objective of this action research was to see if daily voluntary yoga and meditation influence intrinsic motivation in a 3-6-year-old Montessori classroom. The time frame of this study was over six weeks in the beginning of the school year at an urban public Montessori school. The children who participated in the study were eighteen 3-6-year-old students. The experiment included using two apps, one for meditation and one for yoga, every morning for forty-five minutes. Children were welcomed to join when they were ready and leave when they felt refreshed. Some positive effects of our research were an increase in …


Focusing On Grace And Courtesy In The Hopes Of Achieving A More Peaceful Classroom Community, Marshetta Davis Dec 2022

Focusing On Grace And Courtesy In The Hopes Of Achieving A More Peaceful Classroom Community, Marshetta Davis

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Children are at risk of becoming adults who are unable to live, work and thrive together within communities across the United States of America due to lack of respect for themselves, other humans and things in the world which goes along with social courtesies. The researcher was an early childhood education teacher who holds a Montessori certification. For six weeks, the participants in the study were able to focus on Grace and Courtesy lessons in which they participated by observing the teacher modeling care of self, care of others, and care of things with careful attention with, mindful movement, and …


Finding Roots In The Montessori Social Studies Curriculum, Kimberly Torres Dec 2022

Finding Roots In The Montessori Social Studies Curriculum, Kimberly Torres

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research aimed to determine if an equity audit of the Montessori social studies curriculum and learning about the researcher’s culture impacted professional self-efficacy and resilience. This six-week intervention and study was a self-study through daily regimented activities. Three weeks were used to learn more about the researcher’s own culture and history. Three additional weeks were dedicated to the equity audit process, where the researcher revised original lessons or created new, culturally sustaining lessons to augment the curriculum. The data collected was completed daily using four tools: an attitude scale, a guided questionnaire, a reflective journal, and finally during …


The Effects Of Goal Setting And Self-Reflection On Student Work Completion And Work Habits In A Montessori Upper Elementary Environment, Kari F. Frentzel Aug 2022

The Effects Of Goal Setting And Self-Reflection On Student Work Completion And Work Habits In A Montessori Upper Elementary Environment, Kari F. Frentzel

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This study implemented goal setting and self-reflection as self-regulated learning strategies and explored how these affected student work completion and on-task behavior. Students in this environment struggled with self-regulated learning and were observed to not complete work on time and needed redirection to focus on work during the work cycle. The study took place in an upper elementary Montessori environment at a private international school. Thirteen 4th grade students (ages 9-10) participated in the study. During this study, students were given lessons on goal setting and self-reflection and had group discussions about effective goal setting. Students set daily goals for …


Improving Student Concentration Through Caregiver Education, Arianna Fearing Aug 2022

Improving Student Concentration Through Caregiver Education, Arianna Fearing

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research was conducted in a primary classroom at a Montessori school. Using caregiver education that focused on the importance of limiting screen time, it aimed to increase student concentration during the work cycles. The research collected data through pre and post caregiver attitude scales and questionnaires as well as concentration and observation logs during the morning work cycles. Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative research methods, the data revealed a successful intervention with an increase in student concentration. This study can serve as a framework for future research projects that look at how caregiver education, focusing on different topics, …


A Prepared Environment At Home For One Adolescent: The Effect Of Exercises Of Practical Life On Self-Regulation Of An Adolescent, Melissa Herrick Franzen Aug 2022

A Prepared Environment At Home For One Adolescent: The Effect Of Exercises Of Practical Life On Self-Regulation Of An Adolescent, Melissa Herrick Franzen

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project investigated the effect of exercises of practical life on the self regulation of an adolescent in his prepared environment at home. Participants included two parents (of which one was the researcher) and one adolescent boy aged sixteen. The research took place over seven weeks in the home of the adolescent. The researcher prepared areas of the house to create a setting for practical life exercises. A pre-attitude scale for the adolescent and pre assessments for the parents and the adolescent provided baseline data. This data supported the selection and design of the eight materials for the …


"Mindfulness Breathing In Support Of Emotional Self-Regulation In A Montessori Upper Elementary Environment", Emily Farris Aug 2022

"Mindfulness Breathing In Support Of Emotional Self-Regulation In A Montessori Upper Elementary Environment", Emily Farris

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to examine whether the implementation of mindfulness breathing exercises aided in emotional self-regulation. This study incorporated various breathing techniques five days a week for five to ten minutes each day. The six-week study involved 14 children between the ages of 9 and 12 years in a private Montessori school in the southern region of the United States. Data collection included daily observations of the breathing exercises, pre and post-behavioral self-assessments, a daily reflection tool by the researcher, and a student feedback form. Results showed an increase in regulated behavior and breathing techniques being used …


Hybrid Montessori Education: Teacher Reflections On The Care And Education Of Under-Served Black Children, Heather E. Summers Jun 2022

Hybrid Montessori Education: Teacher Reflections On The Care And Education Of Under-Served Black Children, Heather E. Summers

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study explores how Montessori educators in a public charter Montessori school experience Montessori education for low-income Black children. Using the methodology of a qualitative intrinsic case study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight educators (six teachers and two administrators). The participants are diverse in terms of age (26 to 54), race (three white, six African American), gender (two male and six female) and educational experience (2–25 years teaching). Education for Black children in the United States recounts histories of exclusion and segregation. Montessori education for children in the U.S. over the past 100 years shows a progression …


Gratitude And Work Conferences In The Upper Elementary Montessori Classroom, Karrie Kelly May 2022

Gratitude And Work Conferences In The Upper Elementary Montessori Classroom, Karrie Kelly

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Over 100 years ago, Maria Montessori created her educational method. The Montessori philosophy of teaching is still thriving in the educational world today. This method incorporates peace, gratitude, and intrinsic motivation directly woven into the philosophy of teaching. This paper will cover three aims; (1) identify how gratitude affects students’ attitude towards learning 2) how daily work conferences affect students overall work completion, and (3) examine how strong parental involvement indicates student success. This paper will provide strong reviews of the Montessori education, and how the strategies of the philosophy impact work completion within the classroom. Gratitude is heavily present …


The Effect Of A Culturally Diverse Art Curriculum On The Early Childhood Student’S Cultural Competency, Erin Reynolds May 2022

The Effect Of A Culturally Diverse Art Curriculum On The Early Childhood Student’S Cultural Competency, Erin Reynolds

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project was completed to test the effects of a culturally diverse art program on early childhood students’ cultural competency. The setting was a Montessori early childhood classroom of 22 children. There were two Asian students, one African American student, and 19 Caucasian students. Data were collected using a student conference form, self-portrait rubric, and tally sheets - continent symbol matching, group discussions and art activities. A group presentation took place each week about an artist from one the six inhabited continents which included a biography and examples of their artwork. Following the presentation an art activity was …


What Evidence Of Change Emerges When Students With Behavioral And Learning Challenges Are Placed In An Early Childhood Montessori Environment In Rural China?, Jiao J. Zhang May 2022

What Evidence Of Change Emerges When Students With Behavioral And Learning Challenges Are Placed In An Early Childhood Montessori Environment In Rural China?, Jiao J. Zhang

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Under current circumstances, educational issues such as the achievement gap, non-cognitive development, Executive Function, and students with challenging behaviors impact day-to-day classroom practices and fundamentally reshape the results of education. The purpose of this research was to utilize the Montessori environment and principles, as well as the “normalization” approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, to help students with behavioral and learning challenges find the balance of their mental developmental processes and maximize their academic achievement at the same time. This action research conducted focused-group case studies of the Montessori Normalization process for children possessing behavioral and learning challenges at a …


The Effects Of Cognitively Engaging Exercise On Children’S Executive Functioning, Emily E. Osborn May 2022

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 …


Examining Adolescent Voices In Urban Montessorianism Within The Third Plane Of Development., Raymond Edward Green May 2022

Examining Adolescent Voices In Urban Montessorianism Within The Third Plane Of Development., Raymond Edward Green

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although there is a significant body of research surrounding Montessori education, little research has sought to capture the voices of adolescents, specifically high school students in urban settings (Dr. Montessori’s third plane of development) learning through the Montessori Method. Problem: Legislators, policy writers, district and school-level leaders mandate and implement reforms with minimal to no adolescent input. Further, adolescents are not part of the reform implementation process or identifying desired outcomes of said reform initiatives. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine adolescent’s perspective of their urban high school Montessori education, and their role in helping to develop …


The Effects Of Guided Reading In A Primary Montessori Classroom, Taylor Bates, Mary Brocklesby, Katie Mcgarrigle May 2022

The Effects Of Guided Reading In A Primary Montessori Classroom, Taylor Bates, Mary Brocklesby, Katie Mcgarrigle

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research was to decide if conducting guided reading instruction three times a week in a primary Montessori classroom would make an impact on reading levels among kindergarten students. The research took place over six weeks in a public Montessori school. The school is a Title One school located in a rural area of South Carolina. The population who participated in the study were 26 kindergarten students aged five to six from three different classrooms. Our intervention included using a variety of reading strategies such as pointing to each word, using picture clues, sounding out words, …


Links Between Screen Tim, Montessori Preschool Exposure, And Working Memory, Paula Lyn Larsen Mamani Jan 2022

Links Between Screen Tim, Montessori Preschool Exposure, And Working Memory, Paula Lyn Larsen Mamani

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A high-quality, foundational education offers lifelong benefits for young children. The problem is that working memory in pre-school-aged children is declining and could be impaired by the extraneous cognitive load imposed during engagement with screen media apps and/or preschool programs. Although the pedagogical practices associated with Montessori preschool programs have been found supportive of cognitive load germane to learning and improved working memory, they have not been fully considered in relation to preschoolers' screen media use. The cognitive load created by screen media apps could affect their usefulness as learning tools. The purpose of this quantitative study was to discover …


Links Between Screen Tim, Montessori Preschool Exposure, And Working Memory, Paula Lyn Larsen Mamani Jan 2022

Links Between Screen Tim, Montessori Preschool Exposure, And Working Memory, Paula Lyn Larsen Mamani

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A high-quality, foundational education offers lifelong benefits for young children. The problem is that working memory in pre-school-aged children is declining and could be impaired by the extraneous cognitive load imposed during engagement with screen media apps and/or preschool programs. Although the pedagogical practices associated with Montessori preschool programs have been found supportive of cognitive load germane to learning and improved working memory, they have not been fully considered in relation to preschoolers' screen media use. The cognitive load created by screen media apps could affect their usefulness as learning tools. The purpose of this quantitative study was to discover …


Links Between Screen Time, Montessori Preschool Exposure, And Working Memory, Paula Lyn Larsen Mamani Jan 2022

Links Between Screen Time, Montessori Preschool Exposure, And Working Memory, Paula Lyn Larsen Mamani

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A high-quality, foundational education offers lifelong benefits for young children. The problem is that working memory in pre-school-aged children is declining and could be impaired by the extraneous cognitive load imposed during engagement with screen media apps and/or preschool programs. Although the pedagogical practices associated with Montessori preschool programs have been found supportive of cognitive load germane to learning and improved working memory, they have not been fully considered in relation to preschoolers' screen media use. The cognitive load created by screen media apps could affect their usefulness as learning tools. The purpose of this quantitative study was to discover …


Links Between Screen Time, Montessori Preschool Exposure, And Working Memory, Paula Lyn Larsen Mamani Jan 2022

Links Between Screen Time, Montessori Preschool Exposure, And Working Memory, Paula Lyn Larsen Mamani

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A high-quality, foundational education offers lifelong benefits for young children. The problem is that working memory in pre-school-aged children is declining and could be impaired by the extraneous cognitive load imposed during engagement with screen media apps and/or preschool programs. Although the pedagogical practices associated with Montessori preschool programs have been found supportive of cognitive load germane to learning and improved working memory, they have not been fully considered in relation to preschoolers' screen media use. The cognitive load created by screen media apps could affect their usefulness as learning tools. The purpose of this quantitative study was to discover …


Learning By Playing: A Curriculum Utilizing Improvisational Theater To Develop Prosocial Behavior Skills And Self-Efficacy In Young Adolescents, Lynn Lovett Barr Jan 2022

Learning By Playing: A Curriculum Utilizing Improvisational Theater To Develop Prosocial Behavior Skills And Self-Efficacy In Young Adolescents, Lynn Lovett Barr

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Prosocial behavior requires competency in social-emotional skills including interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation. During the developmental stage of early adolescence, youth are learning these skills and are more likely to engage in prosocial behavior if they feel efficacious in them. However, most social-emotional learning programs focus on conceptual knowledge in these areas without providing sufficient opportunities for practice, which does not allow students to develop sufficient procedural knowledge and self-efficacy. Improvisational theater offers a solution to this problem; used in concert with social-emotional lessons, it provides practice scenarios and procedural learning opportunities. This project consists of a curriculum …