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Articles 1 - 30 of 45
Full-Text Articles in Early Childhood Education
The Effects Of Work Plans On Independence In A Primary Montessori Classroom, Cynthia Narine
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
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
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 …
The Effectiveness Of Grace And Courtesy Lessons In A Montessori Environment, Megan Green
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
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
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 …
Effects Of Practical Life Activities And Normalization In The 3–6-Year-Old Classroom, Lori North
Effects Of Practical Life Activities And Normalization In The 3–6-Year-Old Classroom, Lori North
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
"This study aims to determine the effects Practical Life activities have on the process of normalization of students in a Montessori primary classroom. The research took place over six weeks and included 22 participants. Each day the participants were given Practical Life lessons, such as dry pouring, rolling up a work mat, walking around the ellipse, etc. Students who can concentrate and work freely in the Montessori classroom are moving toward normalization. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected to examine the effects of how Practical Life activities assist the process of normalization of children ages 3-6. Findings suggest that …
Focusing On Grace And Courtesy In The Hopes Of Achieving A More Peaceful Classroom Community, Marshetta Davis
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
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 Effect Of A Culturally Diverse Art Curriculum On The Early Childhood Student’S Cultural Competency, Erin Reynolds
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
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
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 …
The Effects Of Guided Reading In A Primary Montessori Classroom, Taylor Bates, Mary Brocklesby, Katie Mcgarrigle
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, …
Impacts Of Early Childhood Professional Development On Educator Practice And Subsequent Student Experience In The Outdoor Environment, Hannah Mohr
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this project was to study the impact of professional development on early childhood educator practice and its subsequent effects on toddlers’ experiences with Risky Play in the outdoor environment. The setting of this project was a toddler classroom within a Montessori school in Missouri. The population for this action research study was three adult assistant guides with varying levels of experience with Montessori and early childhood education and 10 students in a Montessori toddler classroom between the ages of 17 and 32 months. The intervention consisted of a professional development workshop related to Montessori philosophy and benefits …
"Developing Creative Thinking With Intentional Teaching Practices In Academic Subjects For Early Childhood Classrooms", Rebecca Appleby
"Developing Creative Thinking With Intentional Teaching Practices In Academic Subjects For Early Childhood Classrooms", Rebecca Appleby
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research was conducted in an early childhood Montessori Primary classroom using intentional teaching practices with core curriculum materials to engage students in creative thinking. In the form of questions or suggestions, an open-ended inquiry was given to the ten participants, aged three to six years old, as they worked with Montessori materials in academic areas, including science, math, and language. The research utilized mixed methods of collection in the forms of quantitative and qualitative data and demonstrated successful intervention with a steady increase in work times of the students. A longitudinal study would contribute to this theory and …
The Impact Of Creative Movement Presentations On Dance Participation And Student Attitudes Towards Dance In A Montessori Early Childhood Classroom, Ruth Flowers
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research study examined the impact of creative movement presentations on dance participation and student attitudes towards dance in one outdoor Montessori early childhood classroom during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were 13 kindergarten and lower elementary students, ages 5-8, and the researcher, their teacher. Students were presented creative movement activities eight times during circle time over four weeks. They were also given opportunities to dance freely once a week for six weeks and asked three times to respond to statements regarding their attitudes towards dance; pre-intervention, mid-intervention, and post-intervention. Data was collected using observations of dance participation, field notes …
Literacy Approaches In Montessori 3-6: An Action Research Project, Margaret Beagle
Literacy Approaches In Montessori 3-6: An Action Research Project, Margaret Beagle
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this research study was to examine connections between the early introduction of Montessori phonograms and increased student-led writing with the Movable Alphabet. This paper discusses the politics of literacy instruction and common literacy approaches used in Montessori early childhood settings, and examines best literacy practices for early childhood students. The study gathered data from Montessori early childhood educators and 19 students in a Montessori early childhood classroom. The classroom data was collected over four weeks, introducing phonograms alongside individual Sandpaper Letters. Children were then given the choice between using objects to guide their writing with the Movable …
Teaching Peace: The Effects Of Concentrated Interaction With Anti-Racist/Anti-Bias Media On A Montessori Guide’S Practice, Sarah Streyle
Teaching Peace: The Effects Of Concentrated Interaction With Anti-Racist/Anti-Bias Media On A Montessori Guide’S Practice, Sarah Streyle
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this self-study was to examine the effects of concentrated interaction with anti-bias/anti-racist media on a Montessori guide’s practice. It was conducted over a total of six weeks. The intervention included a pre- and post- survey of understanding, nightly media interactions, daily reflection journaling, daily tallies of anti-bias/anti-racist thoughts during the school day, and a daily confidence scale to measure the participant’s confidence to integrate anti-bias/anti-racist concepts into her teaching practice. The study was completed at a private Montessori school in a medium-sized midwestern town, with an early childhood classroom of fifteen three- to five-year-old students of diverse …
The Impacts Of A Revised Handwriting Curriculum On Independent Letter Formation And Motivation In A Montessori 3-6 Classroom, Rebecca Junnila Baldini
The Impacts Of A Revised Handwriting Curriculum On Independent Letter Formation And Motivation In A Montessori 3-6 Classroom, Rebecca Junnila Baldini
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this action research project was to observe the impacts of a revised handwriting curriculum on motivation for handwriting and independent letter formation in a Montessori 3-6 classroom. Participants in the four-week study included eight students aged 3.6 to 5.9 in a private Montessori school located in a small New England college town. The revised curriculum utilized Orton-Gillingham sequencing, plus new handwriting materials and opportunities. Data sources included a daily tally sheet to track handwriting work, daily writing samples, student interviews, and lesson plan/reflection sheets. Data showed that the average daily participation rate for all optional handwriting work …
The Impact Of Grace And Courtesy Lessons On Self-Regulation In A Toddler Montessori Environment, Catherine S. T. Greene
The Impact Of Grace And Courtesy Lessons On Self-Regulation In A Toddler Montessori Environment, Catherine S. T. Greene
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The skills associated with self-regulation begin in toddlerhood. This action research study was designed to assess the impact of Grace and Courtesy lessons on toddler behavior. Students participated in lessons on how to greet a friend, how to ask for a turn and how to express affection. The study took place in a Montessori toddler classroom of 14 children, aged 26-36 months old. The classroom was part of a half-day Montessori preschool located in the South Eastern United States. I used field notes and tally marks to observe behavior in the classroom. Observations were done daily, and the data collection …
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 …
Breaking Gender Barriers Through Literature In The Elementary And Pre-School Classroom, Bonnie J. Frieden, Jenna G. Laffin
Breaking Gender Barriers Through Literature In The Elementary And Pre-School Classroom, Bonnie J. Frieden, Jenna G. Laffin
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The following research assesses how reading and discussing stories that counter gender stereotypes can increase cooperation and decrease conflict between primary- and elementary-aged students of different genders, as well as to expand students’ conceptions of self and others beyond traditional gender expectations. The six-week study involved 50 participants total, 21 between the ages of 3 and 6 and 29 between the ages of 6 and 9 at two separate Montessori public charter schools in Minnesota. Each participant completed an activity pre- and post-intervention concerning the feminine and masculine traits that they would choose to describe themselves and those that could …
The Effects Of Implementing Montessori At Home On Children’S Independence And Self-Regulation In A Montessori Classroom, Betty Namuddu, Emily Vance, Victoria Litton
The Effects Of Implementing Montessori At Home On Children’S Independence And Self-Regulation In A Montessori Classroom, Betty Namuddu, Emily Vance, Victoria Litton
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The ultimate goal of Montessori educators is to prepare the child, the whole child. One who is not only excelling academically, but also is independent, a critical thinker, and can collaborate with people from all different walks of life. The role of the Montessori educators is to prepare and guide children to independence, this is an increasingly difficult goal to achieve independence and self-regulation especially in the three to six, and six to nine age group. The Montessori guides have grappled with the disconnect between the home environment and school environment, citing it as the major obstacle to children’s independence. …
Behavioral Effects Of Outdoor Learning On Primary Students, Makena Cameron, Samantha Mcgue
Behavioral Effects Of Outdoor Learning On Primary Students, Makena Cameron, Samantha Mcgue
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
Children have an innate sense of curiosity about nature. “When children come in contact with nature, they reveal their strength” (Montessori, 1967, pg. 69) and therefore, outdoor education can be a useful learning tool for students. Whether being outdoors or bringing the nature-based activities inside, children have the opportunity to work with all of their senses. A growing number of schools around the United States have begun adding outdoor learning to their curriculum (Lieberman & Hoody, 1998) to bring a positive outcome to students’ behavior. Outdoor learning provides another environment that children can thrive in and hopefully benefit from. As …
The Effects Of Songs On Hmong Vocabulary Acquisition, Julie Thao
The Effects Of Songs On Hmong Vocabulary Acquisition, Julie Thao
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research assessed the effects of singing a song to learn language in a bilingual classroom. The research took place at a bilingual Hmong-English Montessori preschool program. 28 preschool-aged children participated in the research which was conducted over five weeks. Data sources included a parent questionnaire, vocabulary pre-test, vocabulary post-test with a follow-up conversation, daily observation logs, and tally sheet. The children were taught 16 Hmong vocabulary words with half the words sung to the tune of a common children’s song and the other half by simple reciting. The results from the vocabulary post-test showed that there was an …
The Effects Of Outdoor Activity On Concentration, Rebecca Hyatt
The Effects Of Outdoor Activity On Concentration, Rebecca Hyatt
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research project examined how the incorporation of outdoor activities impacted the concentration of children in a primary Montessori classroom. Twenty-one children, between the ages of three and six years old, participated in the research for six weeks. The researcher facilitated daily morning nature walks for the whole group, as well as, invited children to participate in individual and small group presentations on outdoor work. The researcher collected data using daily observational notes and observational tally sheets, a self-reflection journal, and a post-implementation student survey. The data numbers reflect an increase in concentration during the study. Pre-intervention, 72% of …
Building Self-Efficacy As A First Year Primary Montessori Teacher, Lucy Trower
Building Self-Efficacy As A First Year Primary Montessori Teacher, Lucy Trower
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this paper is to increase the self-efficacy of a first-year teacher, with a focus on increasing the subject’s comfort with the autonomy required of the position. The subject teaches in a Montessori classroom of preschool-aged children (designed for 3-6 year olds, serving 3 year olds) at a young school in an urban environment. This was done through interventions that focused on factors of vicarious experience and social persuasion, as informed by Albert Bandura’s research. Data was collected through surveys that measured self-efficacy, satisfaction with life and job satisfaction, and through daily physical, mental, and emotional scales. Written …
The Effect Of Seesaw Technology On Parent Engagement At Private Montessori Schools, Stephanie Kurnava, Jamie Sellhorn
The Effect Of Seesaw Technology On Parent Engagement At Private Montessori Schools, Stephanie Kurnava, Jamie Sellhorn
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The researchers looked at how using Seesaw technology, in a six-week parent education intervention, would affect parent engagement with their children in learning at home as well as parent understanding of Montessori principles. The research participants were 31 parents and 2 teachers at two private, urban Montessori schools. Data was collected through pre and postintervention questionnaires, teacher logs of parent questions, and Seesaw usage data. Through the intervention, we saw parent knowledge of Montessori principles, parent engagement, parent efficacy, and parent confidence in Montessori education beyond preschool increase. Parents also enjoyed interacting with each other as a community of parents, …
The Impact Of Grace And Courtesy Instruction And Modeling On The Normalization Of A Montessori Primary Classroom, Kara A. Mahan
The Impact Of Grace And Courtesy Instruction And Modeling On The Normalization Of A Montessori Primary Classroom, Kara A. Mahan
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research studied the effect of instructing and modeling grace and courtesy lessons on the normalization of a primary Montessori classroom. The study was conducted at a private, in-home Montessori classroom serving children three to six years of age. Nine students received daily presentations of grace and courtesy lessons over four weeks totaling twenty lessons in all. Sources of data included student-teacher conferencing, tally sheets, behavioral self-assessments, and teacher journaling. Instructing and modeling grace and courtesy lessons resulted in an increase in desired behaviors, a more positive classroom environment, and additional knowledge gained on this subject. Throughout this study, …
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 …