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Early Childhood Education Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Early Childhood Education

The Effect Of Seesaw Technology On Parent Engagement At Private Montessori Schools, Stephanie Kurnava, Jamie Sellhorn Dec 2018

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 Effects Of Record-Keeping On Teacher Self-Efficacy And Student Self-Regulation In The Primary Montessori Classroom, Molly W. Wheeler Dec 2018

The Effects Of Record-Keeping On Teacher Self-Efficacy And Student Self-Regulation In The Primary Montessori Classroom, Molly W. Wheeler

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This paper examines the effects of teacher use of an online record-keeping system on teacher self-efficacy and student self-regulation behavior. Four teachers and thirty-four students between the ages of three and six years old participated in this seven-week study in one of the few Montessori schools in a Latin American capital city. Pre- and post-study data collection methods included a teacher self-efficacy questionnaire and small group discussion, as well as use of the Head-to-Toe Test, a means of measuring children’s self-regulation behavior. For seven weeks, teachers used the program Transparent Classroom to record lessons, inform their lesson presentations, and track …


The Impact Of Grace And Courtesy Instruction And Modeling On The Normalization Of A Montessori Primary Classroom, Kara A. Mahan Dec 2018

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 Jun 2018

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 …


Nudging Parents Towards Parent Education Emails, Lauren P. Sitarz Jun 2018

Nudging Parents Towards Parent Education Emails, Lauren P. Sitarz

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This research studied the effects three different styles of email content has on sustained parent interest. Emailing is a cost-effective way of offering parents a glimpse inside their child’s classroom; but if parents do not engage with the emails or correspond with the teacher, the effort may be ineffective.. Over six weeks, 81 primary (3 to 6 years-old) parents at a small suburban Montessori school received one of three weekly emails containing photos or text intended to teach parents about Montessori education. The data suggests parents value photos rather than text. Teachers may see sustained engagement by sending regular photo-heavy …


Using Ipads To Increase Students’ Letters And Letter Sounds Knowledge, Jessica Isgett, Leslie Mann May 2018

Using Ipads To Increase Students’ Letters And Letter Sounds Knowledge, Jessica Isgett, Leslie Mann

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research was carried out to determine if the use of an application named Phonics Island would help student knowledge of letters/letter sounds increase. The research was completed in a full day Primary Montessori classroom of 4k and 5k students. Data was gathered using teacher observation and teacher made checklists. Data on students’ feelings toward learning letters/letter sounds was also assessed to see if students’ thoughts about letters changed after incorporating technology. Students were given an iPad for approximately fifteen minutes per day. The letters were grouped in categories, and the researchers chose which group the student needed to …


The Effects Of Connecting Rituals On Tantrums And Physical Conflicts, Julia E. Neumann May 2018

The Effects Of Connecting Rituals On Tantrums And Physical Conflicts, Julia E. Neumann

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This study was conducted to determine if creating strong student-teacher relationships through a program called Conscious Discipline decreased the number of physical conflicts and tantrums, therefore increasing self-regulation, in an early childhood classroom. This study took place in an early childhood Montessori classroom. There were 25 participants, mixed genders, ages 2.5 to 6 years old. The researcher taught and practiced connecting rituals from the Conscious Discipline program every day during the normal large group time. The researcher collected data by using tally marks to record every time a physical conflict, individual tantrum, or connecting ritual without adult encouragement took place, …


Yoga Before Naptime, Natalie L. Henderson May 2018

Yoga Before Naptime, Natalie L. Henderson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Naptime is a part of a developing child’s day. At school, a child may face a lot of stimulation before transitioning into naptime. Due to the high state of stimulation, a child may need to be shown a way to help self-calm to prepare the child for a period of rest. This research focused on using yoga as a transitional activity and as a way to help children self-calm before naptime. For eight weeks, 12 children between the age of three and four in a Midwest Montessori school participated in a five-minute yoga session before naptime. Through the first four …


The Effect Of Engaging In Food Prep On Willingness To Try New Food, Alyssa Stahl May 2018

The Effect Of Engaging In Food Prep On Willingness To Try New Food, Alyssa Stahl

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project sought to determine the effects implementing food prep activities in the Montessori primary classroom (ages 2.5-6) had on children’s willingness to try new food. Before the food prep activities were implemented, parent questionnaires and student conferences were used to better understand the children’s food preferences. During the intervention, tally sheets and observation forms were used to track student participation and their reactions to the foods. After the intervention, additional parent questionnaires were distributed and student conferences were conducted to determine current food preferences of the four foods that were included in the food prep activities. The …


Effects Of Storytelling On Emotional Development, Elizabeth Erickson May 2018

Effects Of Storytelling On Emotional Development, Elizabeth Erickson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project was completed to test the effects of storytelling on the emotional development of three to six-year-old children in a Montessori primary (PreK-K) environment. The setting was a rural school, and this study took place in an environment with 28 children who are predominantly Caucasian and come from upper-middle-class families. Data was collected using a tally sheet, observational field notes, a small group discussion rubric and an observational rubric. Storytelling took place each day and stories centered around emotions like anger, sadness, and frustration. The adult would share a story first, then invite the children to share …


What Effects Will Collaborative Art Have On Social Cohesion?, Nadine Clarke-Manning May 2018

What Effects Will Collaborative Art Have On Social Cohesion?, Nadine Clarke-Manning

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this project is to determine the effects of group art on social closeness in the early childhood Montessori classroom. The study had nineteen participants ranging in age from three years to six years old and their parents. The data was collected by means of parent pre and postproject questionnaires, student feedback forms, observations and tallies, and reflective teacher journals. The intervention spanned over a six-week period in an established Montessori school in a rural area of Ontario, Canada where social connection and bonding had not been reached. In small groups, students completed a cohesive group art project …


Montessori Family Education, Katharina Vidojevic May 2018

Montessori Family Education, Katharina Vidojevic

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Montessori family education is a stepping stone in forming a bridge between school and home. This action research is focused on increasing familial attendance in Montessori education classes. Using quantitative and qualitative research methods are important tools in discovering the needs of the school community. Attendance, Likert scales and feedback questionnaires were useful tools in reaching out to the familial community. Implementing the changes based on the research results showed a drastic increase in attendance. With families leading busy lives, the school meeting them half way showed positive quantitative and qualitative results. This study had a maximum of 28 families …


Improving Teacher-Efficacy, Gillian K. Jones May 2018

Improving Teacher-Efficacy, Gillian K. Jones

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The study was designed to investigate the effects of daily readings on teacher-efficacy within a Montessori environment. This self-study used daily Montessori readings, recording of mastery experiences, scales of accomplishments, surveys of confidence and daily reflections as a way to increase teacher-efficacy over the course of five weeks. I conducted the research in two different Montessori schools. The study highlighted teacher-efficacy in working with children and in working to build a new school. Both schools were located in the Midwest. The first portion of the study was conducted in an established Montessori classroom with 28 children ranging from 2.5-6. The …


Conflict Resolution With Grace And Courtesy Lessons, Natalie Friesen May 2018

Conflict Resolution With Grace And Courtesy Lessons, Natalie Friesen

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Conflicts are a natural part of life. The study was designed to investigate if Grace and Courtesy lessons improved children’s ability to independently resolve conflicts. The study took place in a Montessori school with 22 participants aged 2.5-6 years. The researcher used tally marks to record the number of conflicts, observations on each conflict, and how the conflict was resolved data collection methods. In addition, observational noted included whether the children utilized a Grace and Courtesy lesson to resolve the conflict. At the end of the morning, the researcher reflected in a daily journal. Baseline data collection continued for two …


The Effect Of Nature Work In A Primary-Aged Montessori Environment, Dorothy R. Lerma May 2018

The Effect Of Nature Work In A Primary-Aged Montessori Environment, Dorothy R. Lerma

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This study investigated how children responded to participating in twenty minutes of nature-based activities that involved direct contact with dirt. The study took place in a Primary Montessori school with 27 children ages 3 to 6 years. The research was conducted over a six-week period in which a pre-assessment was conducted in the first week, followed by four weeks that consisted of presenting 20 minute Nature Work lessons on a daily basis. Once children were shown how to use the materials, data was collected regarding their participation and independent use of the materials. In addition, daily journaling by the researcher …


The Effects Of A Peer-Supported Mindfulness Practice On Teacher Stress Reduction, Dana Vitolo May 2018

The Effects Of A Peer-Supported Mindfulness Practice On Teacher Stress Reduction, Dana Vitolo

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research project was to measure the effects of daily mindfulness practice with peer-support on teacher stress reduction. Nine female Montessori teachers participated in study and taught at private Montessori schools in suburban or rural settings. The participating teachers practiced a short mindfulness activity daily such as the body scan, sitting meditation, yoga, or mandala coloring and wrote reflections in their daily journal for four weeks. The teachers also participated in a weekly peer support group for community building and wrote reflections in their weekly journal. The teachers participated in a pre- and post- intervention stress …


Rest And Independence In The Daytime Nap, Maisah S. Outlaw Apr 2018

Rest And Independence In The Daytime Nap, Maisah S. Outlaw

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects that daily diffusion of lavender oil and adult led breathing exercises would have on the daytime nap in a Montessori early childhood classroom. Specifically, the study targeted the length of time needed for each child to fall asleep, in addition to independence in the children themselves. There were 14 participants, ages 3 to 5 years old, in an early childhood Montessori classroom. The researcher diffused lavender essential oil each day during the nap period, and led the participants in one-minute breathing exercises at the beginning of nap. The researcher collected …